After falling to the Wheeling Nailers in previous contests on the season, the Toledo Walleye were victorious tonight, winning in a commanding 8-4 fashion.
The Nailers were no challenge for the Walleye this evening as they needed just one shot and 87 seconds to get on the board. Fresh off a visit to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Toledo captain Ryan Stokes notched the opening score, picking up a centering pass from Malcolm MacMillan.
Although they allowed just six shots in the opening 20 minutes, one early shot found its way to goaltender Alex Richards from the stick of Casey Pierro-Zabotel, but was stopped beautifully.
Just a few shifts later in the first period, Evan Rankin picked up a rebound off the boards, netting it for his 16th of the year. Trusty linemate Maxime Tanguay and defenseman Ryan Stokes assisted on the goal, which easily silenced the crowd.
Just as in the first, the Walleye wasted little time at the beginning of the second period when Adam Hobson's backhand 35 seconds in put them up 3-0. Just over a minute later Justin Hodgman scored as well, tipping in a blast from Derek Nesbitt for the goal.
Hodgman netted another yet goal later in the second, connecting on the power play from Chris Robertson and Derek Nesbitt. In just 10 shots and 25 minutes of play the Walleye managed to build a comfortable five-goal lead.
Fans in attendance were given both a show and a glimmer of hope moments later when Justin Suda scrapped briefly with Colin Power and Jordan Fox contributed Wheeling's opening score.
While Toledo didn't open the third period with yet another score, they did take a "bizarre" penalty for too many men on the ice. While the penalty was questioned by many, Wheeling's Mitch Ganzak didn't complain as he scored to bring their deficit to three.
The Walleye fired right back as their power-play unit continued to shine. Topping a career-best for goals in a season, Ryan Stokes tallied his second of the evening and sixth of the year on a pass from Derek Nesbitt.
Surprising Wheeling goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak with a shot right off the face-off, Mike Hedden brought Toledo's lead back up to five near the middle point of the period.
JC Sawyer, who was recently named captain of the American team at the ECHL All-Star Game, increased that lead to six at the 12-minute mark, causing the remaining fans in the crowd to boo in disappointment. The goal also set a record for the most goals scored in a game by the Walleye at eight.
Wheeling attempted a late comeback, with Thomas Beauregard netting back-to-back goals in the last five minutes of play, but it was far from enough as Toledo took home the 8-4 win.
The Walleye continue their short road trip tomorrow evening as they visit the Cincinnati Cyclones. They'll be back home to host the Johnstown Chiefs on Sunday afternoon at the Lucas County Arena.
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