KWINGS IS WITHIN A WIN OF TYING THE SERIES
Kalamazoo, MI. - After a hard fight in game 1 and a beat down in game 2 the Kwings felt like soldiers in a war. But battle tested and ready like they've been all season Kalamazoo came to a warm home reception.
Game 3 Tuesday night at Wings Event Center proved to be the way Kalamazoo can get back into this 2017 ECHL Kelly Cup Semi's. With their backs against the wall and trying to avoid a 0-3 deficit. Even though Toledo outscored Kalamazoo 8-4 in the first two games of the series, Kalamazoo need to play well and stop the high octane offense of Toledo.
Once again Toledo got hot early in period 1as Kyle Bonis slapped a backhander past Kwings goalie Nick Riopel top-corner for a 1-0 score. But Kalamazoo comes back with a goal of their own with 2:00 remaining it was the "Vet" Justin Taylor's redirection drive and the scored passed Toledo goalie Jake Paterson tying the game at one all. Kalamazoo outshot Toledo 20-5 at the end of the period.
In period 2 scoring went back and forth, with Toledo in power play mode Bonis get his second goal of the night when the puck bounced of a Kwings skater into the net giving the Walleye a 2-0 advantage but Kalamazoo get it right back with a power play goal of their own as Cam Darcy gave a beautiful pass to Eric Kattelus to Peter Schneider for the score retying the game a 2. Toledo broke another tie of this game when Evan Rankin who has been on fire in this series get a score at the 13:21 mark of the period making it 3-2 Toledo at intermission.
Kalamazoo quickly got back into the contest at 5:36 of period 3 as Darcy again set it up nicely to Schneider for the tap in goal (his second of the night ) tying the game once again at 3-3. Kwings would get their first lead of the night as Blake Kessel backhander finds top shelf for the score giving Kalamazoo a 4-3 lead.
Kwings lead was short lived as Toledo ties the game on a goal by Dane Walters (ast. By Shane Berschbach ) 4-4 tie. Kalamazoo was determined to get this win with just under 3 minutes in the game Brian Hart blasted a one-timer past Toledo's goalie Paterson making it 5-4 and the final blow of the night as Darcy and Schneider would hook up again scoring the empty netter giving Schneider the hat trick on the night and Kalamazoo wins 6-4.
Kalamazoo kept the intensity high and the pressure on as they continued to Toledo like they was in games 1 and 2 coming from behind which led to the win.
Toledo kinda eased up on Kalamazoo they showed aggressiveness when they needed to but was not effective down the stretch and the Kwings took advantage of it which led to their loss.
Toledo leads this best-of-seven opening round 2-1 game 4 is Wednesday night at 7 pm at Wings Event Center.
