Big Walleye Comeback Cut Short in the Third; Fish Fall to the Wings on Sunday, 5-4
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2/27/2011 - (Toledo, OH)-The Toledo Walleye made a comeback in the second period, but fell in the third period to the Kalamazoo Wings, 5-4 at the Huntington Center. Toledo is now 25-26-4 on the season and 13-14-2 at the Huntington Center.
The Walleye had an early scoring chance, but Wings goaltender Riley Gill shut the pads to keep Toledo off the board.
At the 3:52 mark of the first period, John Kivisto took a back door pass from Brady Leisenring and put the puck behind Walleye goaltender Joe Palmer to take a 1-0 lead.
Toledo then got three scoring chances right in a row, but Gill was able to stop all three shots.
Chris DiDomenico put home a Kyle Page rebound on the power play for the Fish to tie the game up 1-1 at 8:23 of the opening period.
Mitch Versteeg gave the Wings a 2-1 lead, shooting the puck past Palmer at 13:09. Kalamazoo took a 3-1 lead after Darryl Lloyd got a power play goal.
The Wings’ Patrick Asselin extended their lead to 4-1 getting a shot past Palmer at 18:04.
Toledo out-shot the Wings 14-10 and scored on their only power play opportunity.
At the beginning of the second period, Thomas McCollum took over in goal for Palmer.
Toledo dominated play in the second period, scoring three unanswered goals to tie the game.
Mike Wilson cut Kalamazoo’s lead in half on a shot that went straight through Gill’s pads. The goal was Wilson’s first as a member of the Walleye.
Nick Duff got a shot just over the goal line cutting the Kalamazoo lead to one goal, 4-3. DiDomenico and John May picked up the assists on Duff’s first goal of the season.
The Huntington Center erupted when Mike Hedden scored with :06 seconds left on the clock in the second period, tying the game up at 4-4.
Toledo out-shot Kalamazoo 15-9 for a two period total of 29-19.
Andrew Fournier took a slap shot from the right circle and the puck past McCollum at 8:07 of the third period to give the Wings a 5-4 lead.
Walleye Wrap-Up:
-Walleye goaltender Joe Palmer made 6 saves on 10 shots in the first period. His record is 9-12-1 this season.
-Toledo netminder Thomas McCollum stopped 14 of 15 shots and is 4-4 in goal for the Walleye this season.
-Toledo went 2 for 2 on the power play this afternoon.
-Defenseman Nick Duff scored his first goal as a professional in the game this afternoon.
-Forward Mike Hedden leads the team in goals with 22.
-Forward Evan Rankin leads the way against the Wings with 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points.
-Toledo will return home to the Huntington Center on Thursday, March 3 at 7pm against the Reading Royals. The second ‘Hockey & Hops’ event will take place before the game.
-On Friday, March 4, join the Walleye for ‘Pink in the Rink’ night against the Kalamazoo Wings at 7pm. The ice will be painted pink and there will be a game used jersey auction after the game where the pink jerseys from the night will be auctioned off. Fans can call 419-725-WALL or visit the Huntington Center box office for ticket information.
Game Story By: Samantha Hoot
