In A Packed House At Lucas County Arena, Walleye Lose 6-3 To Florida

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11/27/2009 - Click for November or December tickets | Video Highlights | Box Score

Toledo, OH – The Walleye came into Friday’s contest with Florida riding the momentum from the last home victory on Sunday. They had a tall task in the Everblades, who had former Los Angeles Kings goaltender, Barry Brust, in net.

Florida scored the first goal on the power play with excellent puck movement. A series of passes eventually found an open Ryan Lang, who scored past Walleye goalie Billy Sauer. The first period seemed to be all Everblades, that is, until the period came to a close. Brust was solid in stopping each of the first seven shots, but JC Sawyer scored the equalizer. With 1:57 left in the period, time expired on a Toledo penalty kill, but Sawyer had the extra step on a defender, and slid one through the legs of Brust.

The second period was another see-saw battle with Toledo playing catch-up. Kevin Baker and Dylan Stanley both scored their first goals of the season for the Everblades. The scores came only 1:05 apart, but Toledo would answer less than a minute later. Derek Nesbitt threw a perfect touch-pass ahead for Adam Hobson, who scored on the breakaway to put the deficit at one.

Later in the period, a four-on-one rush for the Walleye tied the contest at three. A few quick passes caught the defense off-guard – including the goalie – for Evan Rankin to bury home his team best eighth goal.

The period wound down with a tough break for Toledo. With 24 seconds remaining, Florida crashed the net, but it looked as if Sauer made the save. Scrambling for the loose puck, Harrison Reed found a way to bank the puck in for the go-ahead tally. The visitors would add a pair in the third period to put the game out of reach for Toledo, 6-3.

The Walleye are back at home tomorrow on Saturday, November 28 against the 2009 Kelly Cup Champions, the South Carolina Stingrays. Click here for Tickets.

Game Notes

The Rockin’ Arena: The Lucas County Arena hosted a sellout crowd of 7,454 on Friday night.

Standings Update: With the loss, Toledo moves to 7-6-1-2 (6-4-0-0 at home) on the season, but stay in second place in the North Division.

Back Contributing: Prior to the game, Toledo made two roster moves.

Defenseman JC Sawyer was reassigned to Toledo from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Sawyer collected 1 assist in four games with the IceHogs. With the Walleye, Sawyer has six goals and 12 assists for the season, including a goal and assist in his return on Friday.

To make room on the roster, Toledo sent forward Ryan Smyth to the Wheeling Nailers via trade for future considerations. Smyth had 4 assists in 14 games with Toledo.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Walleye