The Kalamazoo Wings were looking to take advantage of their home ice Friday night in the opening game of the ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs.
Instead, the visiting South Carolina Stingrays launched 40 shots on goal in a 4-1 win over the K-Wings to steal home ice from the Wings.
Kalamazoo’s Joel Martin made 36 saves in the loss.
Ludwig Blomstrand scored for the Wings early in the first period to stake Kalamazoo to a 1-0 lead.
Mark Dekanich picked up the win for the Rays on 22 saves.
Kelly Zajac tied the game up about five minutes after the Wings took the lead.
Caleb Herbert picked up the eventual game-winner midway through the middle frame on great solo effort to dig the puck out of the crease before Martin could freeze the puck. Herbert’s stick dug the puck out from under Martin and ticked it into the net for the 2-1 lead.
Derek DeBlois and Austin Fyten added goals for the final 4-1 outcome.
Game 2 in the series is Saturday night at the Wings Event Center
Kalamazoo needs a solid rebound to avert heading to South Carolina in a 0-2 hole.
You must be logged in to post a comment.