Last-minute goal lifts Walleye in road win

2/14/2013

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Stephon Thorne scored a goal with 59 seconds remaining to give the Walleye a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Evansville IceMen on Wednesday night.

Phil Rauch assisted on the late goal, which gave Toledo two big points and moved the Walleye’s record to 28-18-4.

Toledo sits in second place in the ECHL North division behind Cincinnati. The win got the Walleye back on track after a loss to South Carolina on Saturday.

Evansville struck first on a first-period power play goal by Daniel Tetrault, but Pat Knowlton of the Walleye answered with a goal five minutes into the second period.

The Walleye outshot the IceMen 42-26, and goalie Kent Simpson saved 25 shots.

Veteran defensemen Wes O’Neill returned to lineup on Wednesday night after being released from his player tryout agreement with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League.

O’Neill skated in five games with the Aeros without collecting a point. He has scored a career-high 11 goals this season while skating with the Walleye. The 26-year-old has also picked up 10 assists in 43 games with Toledo.

The Walleye will return home for Hockey Heritage weekend on Saturday and Sunday.