Milestone Crowd Sees Elmira Win, 7-2; Walleye Still Stay On Top Division Seat!

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1/22/2010 - Box Score | Video Highlights | Tickets | Upcoming Schedule

Toledo, OH – The Walleye came in to Friday’s contest against Elmira not only riding a six game winning streak, but also leading its division. Toledo hosted Elmira for the third time this season, winning each of the previous contests outscoring the Jackals, 10-4. This time, however, the visitors jumped to a quick lead.

The Jackals took over the contest in the early stages of the game, jumping to a 4-0 edge after a few broken plays in the Toledo zone. At 4:43 in the opening period, Tyler Donati led an odd-man rush for Elmira. Justin Suda went down on a knee to take away the pass, but somehow Donati got it through to Keegan Dansereau for a quick one-timer and his sixth goal.

Then, just over three minutes later, Mat Robinson passed from the right circle cross-ice to the other side, where he split the defense to find Olivier Proulx, who just got enough stick to redirect the puck past Alec Richards. Elmira went up by three when Jarrett Konkle tip-toed around two Walleye defenseman to take a soft shot that went through the legs of Richards at 13:28. Minutes later, the Jackals forced a turnover in the Walleye zone where a centering pass was tipped in by Michael Busto on a one-timer for his first goal.

Toledo did get on the board though with under two in the first. Suda took a pass from the Jackals’ blue line and shot at the net. The rebound off of goalie Julien Ellis bounced in front where Scooter Smith was waiting, then shot over Ellis and hit the top cross-bar before the puck trickled in for the first Toledo goal.

Elmira owned the action for the rest of the game. Near the midway mark of the second, Donati pushed the puck in the Toledo zone and skated around Justin Suda with a brilliant move, tip-toed around the goalie, and shot over a diving Richards for the goal.

In the third, another set of odd-man rushes put the game out of reach for the Walleye. At 7:44, Richards was forced to step up on a fast break. He made the save as the puck trickled behind the net where Brennan Turner collected a centering pass for the goal. Minutes later, Donati took a pass that beat the lone Walleye defender and buried for the goal, putting the score at 7-1. Toledo added a score when Mark Nebus scored his fourth of the season to make it 7-2, the final score.

The Walleye are back at home for the last January home game tonight, Saturday, January 23 for a 7:00 p.m. game against Elmira.

~ SEASON STORIES ~

First Place: Toledo still sits in first place even after Friday’s loss to Elmira. Second place Cincinnati lost Kalamazoo Friday night as well. With the Cyclones loss, the Walleye stay at a division leading 50 points. Cincinnati and Kalamazoo are tied with 49 apiece.

Following the Fish: For the season, 151,894 fans have passed through the turnstiles at the Lucas County Arena, making the Walleye the first team in the league to surpass the 150,000 milestone for the year. Toledo is third in the ECHL with an average of 5,842.

Tuxedo Night: Saturday’s game at Lucas County Arena is Prom Night. Walleye players will be sporting a “Tuxedo” Jersey that will be auctioned after the game. Click here for tickets.

Roster Move: Prior to Friday’s contest, the Walleye signed defenseman Nello Ferrara. Ferrara played in three games with the South Carolina Stingrays earlier this season.

Snapped Streaks: The win streak of six was stopped with the loss… Friday marked the first time in six games that Toledo has not had at least one player scoring two goals… Goaltender Alec Richards snapped his seven game win streak.

~ Photo and Story by: Philipp Levering, Toledo Walleye