WHEELING, W.V.— The Kalamazoo Wings were propelled by a three-goal third period en route to a decisive 4-1 victory over their divisional rivals, the Wheeling Nailers, on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena.
For the second straight night, it was the Wings who would spring out to the early lead over the Nailers. After stripping the puck from a Wheeling defender, Alex Mallet brushed it ahead to create a two-on-zero opportunity with Tanner Sorenson and David Gilbert. Sorenson called his own number on the play and head-faked goalie Casey DeSmith of the Nailers to free up some space and pick the top corner for his 11th goal of the season.
Midway through the first period and facing a one-goal deficit, the Nailers were able to create an opportunity after Andrew Cerretani chipped a puck ahead to the speedy Cody Wydo, who used his speed to sneak behind the Kalamazoo defense and lift a backhand over the glove of Joel Martin to deadlock the game at one.
The Wings dominated the play in the third period and were rewarded for their efforts five minutes in. With Ludwig Blomstrand streaking to the goal, Curtis Valk fed a tape-to-tape feed to the right wing side where Blomstrand dropped to a knee and blasted a one-timer into the back of the goal.
Only 44 seconds passed before Kalamazoo added to their lead, as Justin Taylor slipped through the Wheeling defense and scooped a backhand past the stick side of DeSmith. The goal was Taylor’s 100th of his professional career.
Kalamazoo put the nail in the coffin with Mallet’s 13th goal of the season at the 9:12 mark of the third. Sorenson’s shot from a tight angle was saved by DeSmith, as was Gilbert’s follow-up attempt, but Mallet couldn’t be denied on his rebound try, giving the Wings a decisive 4-1 lead.
Notes: Taylor notched his 100th career goal in his 343rd career ECHL game. Martin made 32 saves in the victory and made 68 stops over the two weekend games against Wheeling. Dane Fox had his four-game goal streak come to an end, but still registered an assist.
Kalamazoo returns home for a two-game weekend at Wings Event Center on Friday, January 29 (7:00 p.m. vs. Quad City) and Sunday, January 31 (4:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne) for Star Wars Weekend, presented by Celebration! Cinema. The Wings will wear special Star Wars themed jerseys that will be auctioned off after Sunday’s contest.
The Kalamazoo Wings host the 2016 CCM/ECHL Hockey Heritage Week, presented by PNC Bank and Bronson Sports Medicine, from February 1-6 at Wings Event Center and throughout the city of Kalamazoo. The one-of-a-kind event features viewing/photo opportunities with the Stanley Cup, Hockey Hall of Fame exhibits and trophies, two games with the Toledo Walleye, and more. Group rates start as low as $12 per person for a group of six or more.
With Kalamazoo Wings release