Kalamazoo is playing Fort Wayne in Round 1 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs best of 7 series. Going into this series I expected close and very physical games. Games 1 and 2 were just that. The last time the two team faced each other was last week in a 6-0 win by Kalamazoo in a night featuring Fox’s first pro hat trick.

My notes/thoughts about the K-Wings Round 1 playoff games 1 and 2:
– Jeremie Blain was a scratch both games.
– Blomstrand started a bit slow and looked rusty after only playing 1 game the previous week due to illness. He didn’t quite have his game legs back in game 1.
– Fox remained on the 1st line. Blomstrand and Kennedy were on the 2nd line in game 1.
– Fox is playing with higher intensity and determination in his eyes.
– Blomstrand is on the 1st PP unit as the 4th forward/point. Fox is also on the 1st PP unit where he is usually positioned right in front of the goalie. Lafranchise is the only defenseman on the 1st PP unit.
– Blomstrand continues to also play on the PK and in 4-on-4 situations.
– Kennedy looked much better in these playoff games then he did last weekend. Though he did have a couple turnovers in game 1.
– Lafranchise was the best defenseman for Kalamazoo this weekend. Very solid play as usual.
– Game 1 seemed to be beat up the Fox night. Fort Wayne was all over him. I expected Fox to be targeted after his hat trick in the last game against Fort Wayne. Fox played very smart and was not dirty back.
– Blomstrand was awarded a penalty shot at the 11 minute mark of the 3rd period in game 1 after being pulled down while on a breakaway. Blomstrand was not able to score in this opportunity.
– Kennedy in on the 2nd PP unit and scored a PP goal with 1 minute left in game 1.
– Kennedy is also on the 2nd PK unit.
– Blomstrand and Fox had several great scoring chances in both games but Fort Wayne’s goalie played exceptionally well.
– In game 2 Blomstrand was put back on the 1st line with Fox.
– Blomstrand was not throwing as many hits in these 2 games as I am used to seeing.
– Fox was very strong with the puck this weekend.
– A bit of a scary moment midway through game 2 when Kennedy blocked a hard slapshot in front of the net while on the PK. Kennedy painfully made his way to the bench but was back out shortly thereafter and did not miss a shift.
– Lafranchise showed some more offensive skill this weekend with going to the net and taking shots. He earned an assist in game 1.
– Blomstrand looked much better in game 2. He got his speed back and looked much stronger on the ice.
– Fox played a bit undisciplined in game 2 and luckily only got called for 1 penalty.