Nailers continue Storm skid in OT

Toledo's Nathan Lutz controls the puck against Wheeling's Mark Moore. The Storm outshot the Nailers 48-31 but is only 1-3-1 in its last five games.

It was one of those outings Doug Teskey will surely remember to forget.

The Toledo Storm goaltender struggled last evening at the Sports Arena, giving up three stoppable goals in regulation time. The Wheeling Nailers made the most of the opportunity, going on to defeat the Storm 4-3 in an overtime shootout.

After running off a 14-2-1 mark to start the East Coast Hockey League season, Toledo has hit a rut, winning just once (1-3-1) in its last five starts.

“I just didn't control rebounds,” Teskey said. “You take away the two rebound goals and it's a pretty simple game.”

It was simple to see that Teskey was struggling.

After Mike Bayrack gave the Storm a 1-0 lead at 5:46 of the first period, Michelle Ouellet tied the game when Teskey left a big rebound to the left of the net which the Nailers' right wing pushed over the line.

Despite outshooting the visitors 16-11 in the first, Toledo trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes because Teskey left another second opportunity lying in front. Bobby Russell converted the chance from five feet with just 16 seconds remaining.

At the other end, Wheeling goalie Mike Valley was outstanding. By the time the contest ended, he had stopped 45 of 48 Toledo shots.

“The battle between the two goalies was the difference,” Storm coach Claude Noel said. “I thought that Valley was good and I thought that Doug Teskey struggled. He fought the puck. You're going to get those nights.”

Toledo countered with the only two goals of the middle period as defenseman Nathan Lutz and left wing Nick Parillo gave the Storm a 3-2 edge.

Parillo's goal was notable as the rookie rushed from end-to-end and picked up the rebound of his slap shot. He skated behind the Nailers' net and then came out front and wrapped a forehand shot past Valley.

“Coach wants me to shoot more and go to the net,” Parillo said. “I shot the puck and it seemed like time stood still [on the wraparound].”

The lead stood until 10:03 of the third when defenseman Mark Moore beat Teskey with a low slapshot from the point during a power-play when the goalie lost sight of the puck.

“It was just traffic,” Teskey said. “I knew he was shooting it and I caught it the last second along the ice. It's a tough reaction save. I guess I gotta find the puck.”

The teams played through a scoreless five-minute overtime. In the shootout, Valley was perfect, stopping four Storm tries while Ouellete and Russell converted for the victory.

“Sometimes you hit a rut,” Teskey said. “I'm not happy with it. I'll move on.”

He'll have a chance for redemption tonight when Toledo hosts Trenton at One Main Street beginning at 7:30.

“I'll rebound,” Teskey said. “I'm disappointed. I won't get much sleep but that'll be good. I'll come back harder. I want to win.”

NOTE: Adam Edinger, a 1995 graduate of Springfield High, will make his first appearance at the Sports Arena since the 1999-2000 season tonight. Edinger, who played at BGSU from 1996-2000, leads Trenton in scoring with 11 goals and 11 assists in 18 starts.