Walleye drop sloppy game to Charlotte

3/7/2010

Playing its third game in as many days, the Toledo Walleye did not have much jump in an afternoon tilt against Charlotte yesterday.

Toledo scored first on Evan Rankin's team-leading 27th goal of the season. But Charlotte then tallied two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 win in front of a crowd of 7,084 at Lucas County Arena.

“It was a sloppily played game,” Toledo coach Nick Vitucci said. “We certainly weren't at our best emotionally. It was a case of the Sunday afternoon blues. I've been in this league way too long and I know how tough a game like this is to play.”

“But it's no excuse. They were playing their third game, too.”

Toledo (31-25-4) gave up two crucial points to the Checkers (32-20-9) who sit just above the Walleye in the race for the playoffs.

“It was a big swing,” Vitucci said. “Our focus is to stay in the top eight.”