Three-goal second period leads Wings to decisive win over Komets

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Kalamazoo Wings were led by Nick Riopel’s 41 saves and a three-goal second period, as they sank the Fort Wayne Komets, 4-1, on Saturday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night.

Even after last night’s slugfest between the two teams, there was no shortage of energy in night two of the home-and-home series. Although neither team could get on the scoresheet, Kalamazoo’s highlight came in the form of denying a barrage of attacks from Fort Wayne during a two-minute five-on-three shorthanded situation. Riopel made 20 stops during the first period, which matched his total amount of saves made during his debut last Saturday.

Entering the second period in a scoreless stalemate, the Wings generated pressure at the net of Eric Hartzell and were rewarded for their grit. Justin Taylor set up a screen in front of the goal and Charlie Vasaturosailed a 50-foot shot towards the crease that was tipped by Taylor to spring out to the lead.

Fourteen minutes later, Kalamazoo built upon their edge as they maintained their assault of the Fort Wayne defense. Tyler Biggs carried the puck along the wing, glided towards the middle of the ice, and snapped a wrist shot that went over the leg of Hartzell and into the back of the net.

Thirty seconds later, and with time ticking down in the middle period, Scott Henegar battled in front of the Fort Wayne net and jabbed at a loose puck on the doorstep to tally his second goal of the season, giving the Wings a 3-0 lead after two.

Midway through the third and operating on their fourth power play try of the game, Fort Wayne tallied their only goal of the night after David Friedmann hammered a one timer off a feed from Kyle Thomas. It was Friedmann’s second goal in as many nights against the K-Wings.

Pulling Hartzell for an extra attacker and earning a power play try, Kalamazoo was dealt the task of killing a six-on-four penalty in the waning moments of the game. Eric Kattelus corralled the puck along the wall and wired it off the glass in his own end, sending it 170 feet into the Komets’ goal, giving the Wings a decisive 4-1 lead.

In the victory, Riopel made 41 saves and registered an assist on the Kattelus game-clinching goal.

With Kalamazoo Wings release