After setting a world record for the largest lightsaber battle in 2019, the Kalamazoo Wings made history a second time in their season opener on Saturday.
A golden anniversary only comes around once, and the Kalamazoo Wings have started their 50th season of hockey by making history during their season opener.
The K-Wings set a Guinness World Record for the most people waving foam fingers simultaneously. It took place during the first intermission of Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Cyclones, when 3,414 fans at Wings Event Center waved their foam fingers to set the record.
Fans received a light-up foam finger upon entry to the game and were encouraged to remain in their seats at the end of the first period. The attempt lasted one minute.
The previous world record for most people waving foam fingers simultaneously occurred five years ago to the day at Delaware State University, when 1,709 people gathered to set the record on October 19, 2019.
“Two Guinness World Records is an amazing feat for our franchise,” said Toni Will, K-Wings general Manager and governor. “I’m so proud of our team and fans.”
This wasn't the first time the K-Wings graced the Guinness Book of World Records. In a November 2, 2019 matchup with the Wheeling Nailers, a crowd of 3,889 participated in a lightsaber battle during the first intermission. The battle lasted three minutes and 45 seconds.
The club announced its intent to go for the foam fingers record at a press conference this past summer. Fans who attended the first GWR in 2019 received their own special ticket package for Saturday's game and record-breaking event.
As for the game, the Wings put an exclamation point on the evening by knocking off the Cyclones 3-2 in overtime.
Josh Bloom scored his first professional goal just 17 seconds into the overtime period after receiving the puck from Quinn Preston, then skated through the slot and fired a wrister from the left hashmark under the glove of Cyclone netminder Jon Gillies for the win. Collin Saccoman earned the secondary assist on the game-winner.