Walleye strike early to defeat K-Wings

TOLEDO – The Kalamazoo Wings began a four-game road swing with a 5-2 loss Saturday night to the Toledo Walleye

Attacking early, the Walleye grabbed the lead 24 seconds into the game with a tally from Tyler Barnes (25th). The goal was the quickest surrendered by the K-Wings this season to start a game.

Kalamazoo evened the game at 1-1 five minutes later with Will Kessel’s first professional goal. Battling at the side of the net, Kessel slid a rebound past Neil Conway.

Kessel’s college teammate and fellow K-Wing, Justin Kovacs, nearly gave Kalamazoo the lead midway in the period. Deflecting a Sam Ftorek slap shot into the net, the goal was disallowed for being touched with a high-stick.

Another fast start gave the Walleye the lead early in the second period. Slipping past the K-Wings defense, Shane Bershbach (14th) scored on a backhander 39 seconds into the period.

Cody Lampl (8th) put the Walleye head 3-1 midway in the stanza scoring on a wrister from between the circles.

The Walleye grew the lead to three goals 6;32 into the third period with a marker from A.J. Jenks (7th).

On the ensuing face-off, Kalamazoo fought back with a goal from Ludwig Blomstrand (29th). The goal gave Blomstrand 22 goals in his last 25 games.

Closing out a three-point night , Barnes (26th) scored his second goal of the night on a rebound.

Becoming the first goaltender other than Joel Martin to start for the K-Wings since January 26th, a span of 26 games, Oscar Dansk made 30 saves in the loss.

Saturday also marked the fourth time in league history that two teams played with no penalties being issued.