Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review: April 9 - April 15, 2012

Friday, April 13, 2012

Kalamazoo Wings 6 vs. South Carolina Stingrays 4 – Game 1 of Eastern Conference Semi-Final
Kalamazoo leads best-of-seven series 1-0

The Kalamazoo Wings opened their 2nd round Eastern Conference Semi-Final matchup against the South Carolina Stingrays at home on Friday Night. Nick Sirota and Elgin Reid led the way with two goals each for the Wings, who took a 3-2 lead after one period and never looked back on their way to a 6-4 win in Game 1. Goaltender Riley Gill made 31 saves in the victory, including 14 in the second period, while Vancouver Canucks prospect Darren Archibald recorded two assists and fired a team high five shots.

Canucks prospects watch

-The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Archibald had a slow start to the playoffs, but seems to have found his touch lately recording three points (0-3-3) in the last two games
-Prab Rai (Round 5, 2008) and Steven Anthony (Round 7, 2009) both missed the game with undisclosed injuries

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Kalamazoo Wings 4 vs. South Carolina Stingrays 1 – Game 2 of Eastern Conference Semi-Final
Kalamazoo leads best-of-seven series 2-0

A three goal third period sparked the Wings to a 4-1 win Saturday night, giving them a 2-0 series lead over South Carolina. Stingrays forward Chris Higgins (no, not that Chris Higgins) gave South Carolina a 1-0 lead just 3:34 into the game, but it was all Wings after that outshooting the Stingrays 32-20, including 18-7 in the first period. Darryl Bootland, Dwight Helminen, Eric Kattelus, and Nick Sirota found the back of the net for the Wings, while goaltender Riley Gill made 19 saves in the victory.

Canucks prospects watch

-Darren Archibald snapped his two game point streak (0-3-3) but made an impact in another way, dropping the gloves with the Stingrays Greg Stewart in a spirited bout late in the third period
-Prab Rai and Steven Anthony both missed the game with undisclosed injuries

Coming up...

The Wings head to North Charleston, South Carolina for Games 3 and 4, which go Wednesday and Friday night. If necessary, Game 5 goes Saturday in North Charleston, while Games 6 and 7 would be next Tuesday and Wednesday back in Kalamazoo. The Wings were 2-0 on the road against the Stingrays during the regular season. The winner of this series will play the winner of the Elmira Jackals and Florida Everblades series (tied 1-1).