Walleye get victory in shootout

Wheeling, W. Va. -- Squadering a two-goal first-period lead, the Walleye needed a shootout to win their second straight, a 3-2 victory over the Nailers.

Goaltender Alec Richards made 42 saves and four more in the shootout to pace Toledo (20-23-4) to a 3-2 win.

"With the way this building is set up our message tonight was to get pucks deep in their zone and pressure their defensemen," said coach Nick Vitucci. "We struggled to do that most of the night, but Alec Richards won us this one."

Toledo got shootout goals from David Gilbert and Joey Martin while Richards stopped all four he faced.

Toledo jumped in front with an goal 6:12 into the first period as Martin scored his 13th goal of the season.

Forwards Kyle Rogers and Mike Thomas picked up the assists. Toledo went up by two about four minutes later as Gilbert wristed a shot past Wheeling goaltender Patrick Killeen (15 saves) on the power play. Defensemen Bryan Rufenach and Joey Ryan collected the assists.

The Nailers evened the game at 2 with a pair of goals in the second period from Olivier Dame-Malka and Peter Lenes.

NOTES: D Simon Danis-Pepin has been recalled to Rockford. ... F David Toews has been activated off of injured reserve. Toews has not appeared in a game with the Walleye since Jan. 8. He has scored two goals with eight assists.