KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo Wings (10-8-1-0) withstood everything the Toledo Walleye (7-10-1-1) had to offer, and came out on top in an overtime victory after an emotional tribute to Kevin Schamehorn at Wings Event Center Friday, 3-2.
In overtime, Raymond Brice (6) scored on a breakaway after Justin Taylor (6) blocked a shot in the defensive zone to set the stage. Brice skated straight down the slot and waited until he was right at the top of the crease to move the puck to his backhand and send it into the net.
With the assist, Taylor tied Mike Wanchuk for second all-time in points as a K-Wing (467) and tied Doug Derkson for fifth in K-Wings history for assists (226).
Pavel Cajan (3-0-0-0) was outstanding in net for the K-Wings once again, making 43 saves in the game on 45 shots by the Walleye. Cajan had several highlight reel-worthy stops and made three saves in overtime.
Toledo opened the game’s scoring at the 15:20 mark of the first period.
At the 4:24 mark in the second, Coale Norris (3) made it rain teddy bears as he wristed a shot from the left side of the slot into the left corner of the net. Mason McCarty (8) fed Norris from behind the cage, and Ryan Cook (4) earned the second assist.
Later in the period, McCarty intercepted the puck at the top of the slot, drove down, and sniped the left corner to give Kalamazoo the lead. Brandon Saigeon (10) and Norris (4) earned the assists.
At the 3:41 mark of the third, the Walleye pulled even with a power-play goal.
With the win, the K-Wings improved on several already-impressive trends this season, moving to 6-0-0-0 when leading after two periods, 3-0-1-0 at home on Fridays, and are now 4-0-1-0 against the Walleye this season.
It also was another successful Teddy Bear Toss Night, presented by Bronson, as thousands of plush toys were donated to local hospitals and the Salvation Army following the Norris goal.
The team paid tribute before the game to Schamehorn, a long-time K Wings star who lost his battle with cancer earlier this past week.
Kalamazoo welcomes the Wheeling Nailers (10-9-0-0) at 7:00 p.m. EST. on Saturday at Wings Event Center.
Broadcast time on 590/106.9 WKZO is 6:35 pm.
THIS REPORT WRITTEN BY CHRIS CADEAU, VOICE OF THE K WINGS
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