News release
14 January 2005
Kalamazoo, MI The Kalamazoo Wings fought back from a 1-0 deficit to beat the Elmira Jackals 4-1 Friday night at Wings Stadium.
Jason Sessa one-timed a pass from Eddy Lowe past Wings goalie Chad Alban to grab the lead at 13:48 of the first period, also assisted by Derek Campbell. But for the second straight time in Kalamazoo, Elmira scored first but could not get any points.
The K-Wings struck back with a second period power play goal from Tim Krueckl at 9:29, assisted by Daniel Carriere and Yannick Carpentier, that tied the game at one. The end of the second period was marred by a full-two-team melee that saw only one fight, Nathan Gillies dismantled the must taller Wings forward Tom Ditzer, and Derek Campbell received a game misconduct for slashing Alban, which started the altercation.
Kalamazoos work ethic and determination was unmatched in the third period as they wore down the Jackals with relentless checking and pressure. The Wings took their first lead when Sean Starke scored on a second effort poke-in at 13:03 of the final period, which would turn out to be the eventual game winner. Late in the game Elmira pulled Greg Hewitt in efforts to find an equalizer, but instead Krueckl scored an empty net goal, his second of the game at 19:01. Then with Hewitt back in the net, Kalamazoo added insult to injury as Andrew Luciuk snapped a wrister through the five-hole to beat Hewitt 19 seconds later to give the Wings a 4-1 win. Kalamazoo scored on each of their last two shots of the game, after scoring twice on their first 40 attempts on goal.
Alban made 23 saves on 24 shots in regulation for the win, while Hewitt stopped an incredible 38-of-40 in the loss.