Walleye Fall to Cincinnati, 4-3; Toledo Just Four Points Out of the Final Playoff Spot
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3/27/2011 - (Toledo, OH)-The Toledo Walleye fell to the Cincinnati Cyclones, 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at the Huntington Center. Toledo is now four points out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Walleye are now 32-31-6 overall this season and are 15-17-3 at the Huntington Center.
Cincinnati got on the board first when Cory Conacher shot a puck past Walleye goaltender Thomas McCollum giving the Cyclones a 1-0 lead at 10:18 of the first period.
Toledo would tie the game up at 1-1 after Evan Rankin made a beautiful drop pass to Andy Bohmbach. Bohmbach then shot the puck from the middle of the ice past Cincinnati goaltender Brian Foster. Maxime Tanguay also picked up an assist on the goal.
Toledo killed off their only penalty of the first period and sent nine shots at the Cincinnati net.
The Cyclones would take a 2-1 lead after Barret Ehgoetz chipped a puck past McCollum at the 3:56 mark of the second period.
Ehgoetz would score his second goal of the game at 18:29 to take a 3-1 lead.
The Fish had a flurry of chances on the power play but were unable to get a shot past Foster.
At the 7:53 mark of the third period, Scooter Smith's goal brought the Huntington Center back to life pulling the Walleye within one goal of tying the Cyclones. Smith shot the puck past Foster's right shoulder after getting a pass from Tyler Doig.
Rankin netted his first goal of the game at 15:23 of the third period from Bryan Rufenach and Kyle Page. After Foster mishandled the puck Rankin banged home a loose rebound in to a wide open net.
Conacher gave Cincinnati another one goal lead lifting the puck over McCollum's shoulder at 16:31 of the final period.
Walleye Wrap-Up:
-Walleye goaltender Thomas McCollum stopped 26 of 30 shots and is 11-9-2 this season with Toledo.
-Jason Lepine leads all ECHL defensemen with 44 points.
-Toledo out shot the Cyclones 36-30
-The Walleye are just four points out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference
Switching Streams:
-Forward Chris DiDomenico was reassigned by the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) from the Toledo Walleye to the Rockford IceHogs (AHL). DiDomenico appeared in 37 games for the Walleye notching 9 goals and 16 assists of 25 points.
-The Walleye return home to the Huntington Center on Friday, April 1 at 7 pm when they face off against the Elmira Jackals. There will be a post game jersey auction of the retro jersey’s with proceeds benefitting the ‘Walleye Wishing Well’ fund. Fans can call 419-725-WALL or visit the arena box office for ticket information.
Game Story By: Samantha Hoot
