Toledo rallies from 2 goal deficit but loses in overtime at Kalamazoo

2/16/2013

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Playing without their two leading scorers and top goaltender, the Walleye fell 3-2 in overtime to Kalamazoo on Friday night.

Despite being shorthanded, Toledo dominated in shots on goal as they sent 42 pucks on Wings goalie Joel Martin. They also earned a point in the standings after rallying from an early two-goal deficit.

The Walleye trailed by two after the first period but they tallied two of their own to tie it.

Forward Travis Novak scored a shorthanded goal on an assist from Byron Froese to get Toledo on the board 2:48 into the middle period. It was Novak's 10th of the season.

Forward John May, who was signed just prior to Friday's game, scored the tying marker a little more than five minutes later. Froese also assisted on May's goal along with Phil Oreskovic.

After a scoreless third period, Kalamazoo's Aaron Clarke scored the game winner 21 seconds into OT.

Goalie Jimmy Spratt took over in the Toledo net for Kent Simpson, who was called up to Rockford on Thursday. Spratt finished with 14 saves in his first start of the season.

The Walleye outshot the Wings 42-17, including 17-7 in the second period.

“We did a great job tonight getting pressure in their zone,” Walleye coach Nick Vitucci said. “Tonight you just have to tip your cap to Kalamazoo goaltender Joel Martin.”

Toledo (28-18-5) is now 15-11-2 on the road this season.

The Wings (24-22-5) scored a pair of goals in the first period. Wesley Myron scored on a wrist shot. The Wings took a 2-0 lead when Kory Karlander beat Spratt on a backhander.

May scored his second goal of the season on a wrist shot that went through the legs of Martin at 8:22.

The Walleye own a record of 4-3-3 against Kalamazoo this season.

The teams meet again later today in Toledo at the Huntington Center.

FISH TALES: Forward Willie Coetzee, the team's second leading scorer, was called up to Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.

Coetzee leads Toledo in goals with 18 so far this season and is second on the team in points with 37. The native of Johannesburg has been out of action since Jan. 31 with an injury.

Goaltender Christian Davis also was added as an emergency backup. Davis played in high school at St. John's Jesuit.