Toledo Walleye score first but can't score again in 4-1 home loss to Greenville

3/13/2013

The reeling Walleye lost their fourth straight game tonight, falling 4-1 to the Greenville Road Warriors.

Toledo scored first but then yielded four unanswered goals to Greenville, including two in a span of 1:12 in the second period.

The Walleye (31-23-9) have now lost eight of their last nine games.

Each team scored once in the first period before an announced crowd of 4,751 at the Huntington Center.

The Walleye struck first when defenseman Ben Youds scored on a nice pass through traffic from Willie Coetzee. Youds' one timer came 3:45 into the game.

But Greenville tied it as Brandon Wong tipped a shot over Walleye goalie Jordan Pearce's shoulder. Matt Lowry assisted on the goal that made it 1-1 at the 6:15 mark of first period.

Ryan Flanigan gave Greenville the lead and Jordie Johnston made it 3-2 just moments later.

Lee Baldwin sealed it with an empty net goal with 53 seconds left.

Pearce finished with 24 saves.

With nine games left in the regular season, the Walleye lost valuable ground in the race for the playoffs. Greenville (33-25-7) came into the game tied with the Walleye for seventh place in the conference. The top eight teams make the playoffs.

Toledo plays three straight against Wheeling this weekend. Toledo plays at Wheeling on Friday before hosting the Nailers on Saturday and Sunday. The Walleye play the Nailers four times yet this season.