Walleye end season with loss at Wheeling

4/3/2011

WHEELING, W. Va. -- The Toledo Walleye finished its second season in the ECHL with a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Wheeling Nailers Saturday night, falling 4-3.

The Nailers scored four times in the second period, breaking a 2-2 tie midway through the stanza.

The Walleye finish the season 33-33-6, missing the ECHL playoffs by two points, and fourth place in the North Division.

"We gave another great effort tonight," said Walleye coach Nick Vitucci. "Although this season did not go as we had planned back last summer, one thing we did do is fought hard all year long. Through all the call-ups and injuries this year, this team never stopped trying."

Andy Bohmbach pulled Toledo within one with 4:55 remaining in the third, but a furious finish did not net a tying score.

The two teams skated end-to-end for much of the first period as they combined for 25 shots on goal.

Goaltender Joe Palmer (34 saves) turned aside all 13 shots he faced.

Mike Hedden and Sebastien Piche each scored and assisted on each others goals in the loss. It was Hedden's team-leading 32nd goal of the year.