Walleye Finish Inaugural Weekend With Another Win; 4-3 in OT Over Florida!

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10/18/2009 - The Walleye overcame an early two-goal deficit, and Jean Claude Sawyer's power-play goal in overtime gave the team their second win in three games to start the season. Sawyer's wrist shot from the point sailed over Everblades goalie Mike Morrison to cap an exciting game in front of 5,197 fans at Lucas County Arena.

Special teams were a huge factor all series. In the three games, the Walleye power play converted 6 of 17 chances (35.3 percent) and held the Everblades to just two power play goals in 20 opportunities.

Despite a 2-0 deficit into the first intermission, the Walleye scored three unanswered goals in the second to take the lead. Dominic Osman and Jamie Milam scored to tie it for Toledo. Adam Hobson then gave the Walleye the lead, skating up the side boards and behind the net before deking the goalie and firing a wrist shot on a tough angle over his shoulder for a 3-2 lead. Florida tied it up toward the end of the second period, and the teams played a scoreless third to set the stage for overtime.

Alec Richards saved 33 of 36 shots in net, including 12 in the third period to keep the score tied at three. The Walleye were hit with a bench minor for too many men on the ice with under four minutes remaining in regulation, but Richards and the defense killed off the penalty.

Florida forward Colin Nicholson was sent to the penalty box in the final moments of the third for holding, giving the Walleye the man-advantage to start overtime.

The Everblades, led by league MVP Kevin Baker, finished the 2008-09 season with the ECHL's best record at 49-17-2-3. Baker was held without a point over the weekend while the Walleye took two of three to start the season.

Toledo 4, Florida 3 -- Full Box Score

Catch the Walleye in action during next weekend’s home games -- Friday, October 23 against Reading and Saturday, October 24 versus Trenton. Call 419-725-WALL or order tickets online!

Photos: Walleye Photo Album; Video highlights: Walleye TV

--Craig Vanderkam, Toledo Walleye - Photo Credit: Phil Levering