Lepine’s goal in OT lifts Walleye
11/9/2013ESTERO, Fla. — Jason Lepine saved a possible disastrous collapse by the Walleye with an overtime power-play goal to give Toledo and 4-3 win over host Florida.
Lepine tallied his first goal of the season two minutes, 20 seconds into the extra stanza on an assist from Joe Sova after Florida’s Matthew Pistilli was called for tripping 1:15 in overtime.
Toledo goaltender Mac Carruth stopped 37 shots for the Walleye (4-3-1).
Sova and Scott Arnold each handed out two assists in the win.
The Walleye built a 3-0 lead with a first-period goal by Travis Novak followed by goals in the second period by Martin Frk and Russ Sinkewich.
Novak’s goal was his third of the season while it was Frk and Sinkewich’s first tallies for Toledo.
Novak also added an assist in the win.
Florida (8-1-1) started to chip into the Toledo lead 50 seconds into the third period with a goal by Mathieu Roy.
Rocco Carzo scored at the midway point of the stanza and it appeared Toledo would escape with the win, but Alden Hirschfeld was whistled for slashing with 1:46 left in the contest.
Florida pulled their goaltender Jesse Deckert (19 saves) and Jordan Henry scored on the 6-on-4 power play with 1:08 remaining to knot the game at 3-all.
The Walleye finished 3 for 8 on the power play while Florida went 1 for 3.
The Walleye continue their road trip with games at Orlando tomorrow and Monday.