Toledo Grounds Kalamazoo in a Shootout-Picks Up Two Points!
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2/19/2011 - (Toledo, OH)-Jason Lepine and Willie Coetzee scored for Toledo in the shootout, giving the Fish a 2-1 win over division rival Kalamazoo at the Huntington Center in front of a sold out crowd of 8,000. Toledo is now 24-22-3-1 overall and 12-12-1-1 at home this season.
The Walleye had several good scoring chances in the opening five minutes of the first period, including Kyle Rogers hitting the crossbar.
Kalamazoo then got on the scoreboard to lead 1-0 after Darryl Lloyd picked up a rebound off of Walleye goaltender Jimmy Spratt and shot the puck in to the open net.
Toledo killed off the only penalty they had in the opening period and registered nine shots on goal.
Neither team was able to score in the second period and Toledo out shot the Wings 21-5 for a two period total of 30-18.
The Fish also had three power play opportunities in the middle period.
Halfway through the third period, the Huntington Center erupted when Mike Hedden picked up his 18th goal of the year. Toledo was finally able to get a puck past Wings goaltender Ryan Nie. Rogers picked up the puck behind the net and passed to Hedden who put a backhand shot in the net to tie the game.
After a scoreless overtime period, the teams went to a shootout.
In the shootout, Lloyd scored the only goal for the Wings and Jason Lepine and Willie Coetzee scored for Toledo to give the Fish the win, 2-1.
Walleye Wrap-Up:
-Walleye goaltender Jimmy Spratt stopped 27 of 28 shots and has a record of 6-2 this year.
-Forward Evan Rankin picked up an assist in tonight’s game giving him a team leading 15 points against the Wings this season.
-Toledo has gone to and won a shootout for the second time in three games.
-With their win tonight, the Fish are now in 8th place in the Eastern Conference. Elmira and Gwinnett each lost their game, moving the Walleye up two spots in the standings.
-The Walleye play at Kalamazoo tomorrow and return home to the Huntington Center on Wednesday, February 23 at 7pm to take on the Wheeling Nailers. Fans can call 419-725-WALL or visit the arena box office for ticket information.
Game Story By: Samantha Hoot
