Awesome run for Walleye halted in OT

By Jim den Hollander

Midwest Hockey Editor

It was almost literally midnight Eastern Time when the clock finally struck the figurative ‘midnight’ on the season for the Toledo Walleye on home ice Wednesday night.

A long and thrilling post season run came to an abrupt end when the ECHL’s East Conference regular season champs surrendered the game’s first goal after 105:35 of shutout play bringing an end to an amazing rally.

For those trying to quickly add up the 20’s, that is 5:35 into the third overtime period.

The Walleye simply refused to surrender, persistently and stubbornly holding open the casket lid after dropping the first three games of the East Conference championship series to the South Carolina Stingrays.

That was just the latest drama for a team that played three rounds of playoffs, engaging in 21 games and three thrilling Game Sevens.

Adding to the level of excitement is some controversy — at least in social media as it appeared the winning goal came following a player backing into the Walleye zone with the puck absent an offside call.

The Walleye won 50 games during the regular season, showing it knew how to post a ‘W’, but faced some tough runs from first the Wheeling Nailers, then the Fort Wayne Komets before even engaging with the Stingray.

Along with the 63 periods of hockey there was an additional 99:16 played in nine overtime periods.

In the opening round, the Walleye found out quickly that ranking at the top of both the North Division and the Eastern Conference didn’t entitle it to any respect from the fourth seeded Nailers. After dropping the first game 3-2, the Walleye needed an overtime goal from Troy Schwab to gain a split in its first two home games.

After dropping its first on the road, the Walleye earned wins in each of the next two to return home needing just a win to move on to the second round.

This time it was the Nailers’ turn to fight back with a 5-2 win forcing a seventh and deciding game. This time it was Kyle Bonis with his second of the night just before the third minute mark of the overtime period to wrap up a 2-1 win for the home side.

The Walleye was clearly more ready on home ice in the second round taking the first two on home ice before the Komets rallied for a pair of overtime wins to even the set.

Toledo held on for a 3-2 edge in game five, but again the Komets rallied at home with a 3-2 win. The Walleye put it away with a 5-2 edge in the finale.

It appeared the Walleye would never get a chance to engaged in a seventh game against the Stingray with a pair of defeats on home ice and a 6-5 overtime loss at Charleston putting its back square to the wall.

The Walleye responded with three straight 5-4 edges, the first two right in South Carolina and the final two both coming in overtime, setting the stage for one more chance at moving on to the Kelly Cup.

The Stingray will move on instead to the league’s championship series against the Allen Americans, beginning Sunday.