KALAMAZOO, MI — The Kalamazoo Wings' Ray Kaunisto almost didn't do it.

Following the first period of the K-Wings' game against the Fort Wayne Komets on Nov. 28, Kaunisto participated in an on-ice interview.

Kaunisto nearly answered the questions in normal fashion, but instead decided to channel his inner "Super Trooper", sneaking in seven "meows" during the 40-second interview.

"I thought about doing it a little bit before and then I just figured just let it rip and see what happens," Kaunisto said. "I almost chickened out. I almost didn't do it, but I kind of just went with it."

Kaunisto's interview resembled the "Meow Game" from the movie "Super Troopers," where one officer bets another he can't say "meow" 10 times during a traffic stop.

"Right meow we came out, hit a few guys quickly there," Kaunisto said in the interview. "We got to get into the corners meow, and maybe pass the puck a couple more times down in the neutral zone there meow.

"Right meow our focus is on banking as many points meow, but right meow, we're doing a pretty good job coming out and getting the first goal. Thanks meow."

Once posted to YouTube, Kaunisto's "meow" interview drew national attention from major news media outlets.

"I'm always one of the guys that tries to keep things light in the locker room and in a lot of interviews with hockey players they pretty much say the same exact things over and over," Kaunisto said. "I kind of wanted to mix it up a little bit."

Kaunisto admits he's a "pretty big fan" of the movie and said the "Meow Game" is one of his favorite parts.

While the interview has undoubtedly brought many laughs to its viewers, Kaunisto said it was pretty easy for him to keep a straight face.

"To be honest, I wasn't playing that well right before the interview happened," Kaunisto said. "I think that really helped me out and kept me composed. Any other time I probably would've started laughing."

Because the interview happened during the intermission between the first and second period, none of Kaunisto's teammates knew of his "meow"-ing performance until after the game.

"Nobody knew I did it and it wasn't until it was posted on YouTube after the game that the guys started realizing it," Kaunisto said. "I never really thought it would turn into something like this."

The K-Wings are currently on the road scheduled to play the Evansville IceMen on Friday and then the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday.

Kaunisto said he doesn't have anything else planned, but didn't rule out the possibility of another "Super Trooper" interview in the future.

"We'll see what happens," Kaunisto said with a laugh.

Email Justin Dacey at jdacey@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter: @JustinDacey.