McCullough completes K-Wings comeback Kalamazoo defeats Allen 4-3 in overtime

KALAMAZOO- With a Family Hockey Day in the ‘Zoo crowd waving their giveaway item, a checkered flag, Zach McCullough that sent the Kalamazoo Wings into the winners circle with a 4-3 overtime victory against the Allen Americans. The win extended the K-Wings unbeaten streak to a team ECHL record nine games (8-0-0-1).

While the teams went scoreless through in the opening 20 minutes, the second period was filled with penalties, which led to plenty of special team’s opportunities. K-Wings Regular

Allen struck first 5:01 into the period with a power-play tally from Chad Costello (21st). The goal extended Costello’s point streak to a baker’s dozen.

Capitalizing on another man-advantage opportunity minutes later, Ian Schultz ripped a slap shot from a top of the left circle to extend the Americans lead to two goals.

The Americans continued to build on their lead midway in the stanza with a blue line marker from Kevin Young (5th). Costello, who earned an assist on the marker, finished the night with three points (1 goal, 2 assists).

In the period, the teams combined for 36 minutes in penalties and 10 power-play chances. Allen went 2-for-5 on the power-play, while Kalamazoo was 0-for-5.

While the K-Wings power-play didn’t score in the second period, their specials teams did get the on the scoreboard. Killing off penalty late in the period, Matt Caria notched his team-best 12th goal of the season to begin a comeback bid for Kalamazoo.

Cutting the lead to 3-2 early in the third period, Michael Neal notched his seventh goal of the season and his first as a member of the K-Wings. Racing up the right wing, Neal unleashed a wrister over the shoulder of former K-Wing Riley Gill.

Pulling even late in regulation following a face-off victory, Nathan Longpre went end-to-end and squeezed a wrister just under the crossbar with 25.7 seconds left to force overtime.

Picking the perfect time to notch the first goal of his two-year pro career, McCullough recorded the game-winner 2:11 into overtime with wrister that went through the five-hole of Gill.

Scott Munroe made 23 saves in the victory to improve his record to 5-0-0-1.

 

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