Walleye use explosive second to secure victory

12/26/2010

A trio of linemates clicked and exploded in the second period to propel the Walleye to a much-needed win Sunday night at the Huntington Center.

Forwards Evan Rankin, Dominic Osman, and Andy Bohmbach teamed up for three goals in a decisive second period as Toledo posted a 4-1 win over Kalamazoo before 6,300 spectators.

Rankin scored two goals on consecutive shots in the critical second period in which Toledo scored three unanswered. Rankin assisted on another in the middle period, while Osman had a goal and an assist. Bohmbach assisted on all three goals to help Toledo, which had trailed 1-0 after one period, built a 3-1 advantage.

"Ozzie was big for us tonight," said Rankin, who netted the game winner. "It was a huge thing for us for him to come in and step up for us when we needed him."

Scooter Smith tacked on another goal in the third as Toledo snapped a three-game losing streak. The Walleye, which had dropped four of their last five, also were 1-2-1 in their last four games and 3-6-1 in their last 10.

"We're like kids who opened up their Legos at Christmastime. We're trying to build anything we can out of this," Toledo coach Nick Vitucci said.

Toledo moved to 5-7-1 at home and 10-14-3 overall. The Walleye still are in last place but moved within two points of the K-Wings (11-13-3) for third in the North Division.