Hockey Programs

1977-78 Regular Season: K-Wings vs. Port Huron Flags      1977-78 was the fourth season of hockey for the Kalamazoo Wings in the International Hockey League. The franchise was still a secondary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings and owned by Ted and Martha Parfet. After a rough inaugural season, the K-Wings quickly built into a contender, making the postseason the next two years. The fans flocked to Wings Stadium, as attendance figures ranked in the top three each season in the IHL.       Kalamazoo had it's best season yet in 1976-77, finishing 38-27-13, just two points behind league-best Saginaw. Head Coach Bob Lemieux was back behind the bench, the only coach the K-Wings had known. However, a slow start in 1977-78 led to Lemieux being replaced by Peter Slater as coach. The Wings still finished in second place in the North Division, but their 35-31-14 record was 12 points back of first place Saginaw.      On offense, the K-Wings h...

1985-86 Regular Season: Goaldiggers vs. Kalamazoo Wings Goaldiggers vs. Indianapolis Checkers      Since their inception in 1974, the Toledo Goaldiggers had been one of the top teams in the International Hockey League. The Diggers reached the Turner Cup Finals six times in their 12 years of existence, bringing home four Cups in the process. During their first several seasons, the team was very popular on the ice as well, often playing to jam-packed crowds at the ancient Toledo Sports Arena.      By the mid-1980s, the franchise was in decline. Attendance had fallen by more than half, even with the powerhouse teams in 1981-84. The franchise nearly went out of business twice, only to be rescued by new investors in time for the next season.      1985-86 was a difficult season for the Goaldiggers. Toledo was coming off a dismal 1984-85 season, which saw the team drop to last place in the Eastern Division with a 32-42-8 record, losing in the first ...