Walleye downed by the Wings in overtime, 4-3
2/16/2013 - (Toledo, OH)-The Toledo Walleye struck three times tonight, but it was not enough as they fell to the Kalamazoo Wings 4-3 in front of sold-out crowd of 8,200 at the Huntington Center on Saturday night. The Walleye earned a point in tonight's game, despite the overtime defeat. Toledo is now 28-18-2-4 overall and is 13-7-1-3 on home ice.
Willie Coetzee would strike quickly for the Walleye, giving them an early 1-0 lead over the Kalamazoo Wings. Coetzee riffled a shot past Kalamazoo’s Joel Martin just 2:03 into the game. Toledo out shot the Wings 13-5 through first 20 minutes of play.
Nick Sirota scored shorthanded for Kalamazoo at the 17:10 mark of the second period to tie the game up at 1-1. Travis Novak then brought the sold-out Huntington Center to its feet, scoring with just .7 seconds left on the clock. Novak jumped on a rebound and got the puck into the back of the net after Joey Martin sent a shot at Joel Martin. Byron Froese collected the second assist on the ninth goal of the year for Novak.
Toledo wasted no time adding to their lead at the start of the third period, scoring just 26 seconds in. Coetzee fired a perfect shot into the top of the Kalamazoo goal for his second of the night, extending the Walleye’s lead to 3-1. Phil Oreskovic and Kyle Rogers assisted on the goal for the Walleye.
The Wings would then score twice to tie the game up at 3-3. Wesley Myron’s goal came at 7:32 of the third period, while Sam Ftorek scored at the 9:13 mark, both on the power play.
Yann Sauve scored 20 seconds into the overtime period, lifting the Wings to a 4-3 win.
Walleye Wrap-Up:
-Walleye goaltender Jordan Pearce stopped 29 shots on goal and is 12-7-1-1 this season.
-Travis Novak extended his point streak to three games tonight, netting a goal.
-The Walleye recorded 46 shots on goal; making it the 12th time that they have had 40 or more shots during a game.
The Toledo Walleye hit the ice at the Huntington Center tomorrow afternoon at 5:05 p.m. to host the Fort Wayne Komets. The alumni team will play its first ever game at the Huntington Center against the Fort Wayne Komets alumni on Sunday. Tickets are available now at the box office, by calling 419-725-WALL, or online at www.toledowalleye.com.
Game Story By: Samantha Hoot
