Kalamazoo, MI.- Kalamazoo came from behind twice to tie the game but fell 3-2 in the shootout on Tuesday morning to the Walleye.
Forward Kyle Blaney scored for the third straight game, setting a career-high. Kalamazoo hosted a packed house of 5,093 on Education Day at Wings Event Center.
Toledo’s power play scored the first goal of the morning and the only goal of the opening period, taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Shane Berschbach’s shot from the near corner banked off the defenseman’s skate and past Jake Hildebrand, giving Toledo the lead.
In the middle frame the K-Wing offense jumped out to a fast start as Justin Taylor scored just 0:40 into the period. After Kaden Fulcher made the initial save on Reid Gardiner’s shot Taylor tipped the rebound past the goaltender, tying the game. Toledo would retake the lead about midway through the regulation. On an odd man-rush Ben Storm tapped a pass from Trevor Yates into the net, giving Toledo a 2-1 at the 9:51 mark of the period. Kalamazoo knotted it back up before the end of the period though. Short-handed Kyle Blaney took a one-timer from the high slot that scorched the top corner, tying the game with 4:56 to play in the third.
After a scoreless third period and overtime the teams headed into a shootout. Toledo scored the only tally of the skills competition as AJ Jenks ended the game in the third round. Justin Taylor, Reid Gardiner, and Kyle Thomas all were unsuccessful on their shootout attempts.
Hildebrand, starting his sixth consecutive game, stopped 33 of 35 shots, while Fulcher stopped 31 of 33 shots. Kalamazoo killed off seven of eight Toledo power plays, while finishing scoreless on five chances.
The K-Wings return to action this weekend with a three-in-three beginning Friday night at home against Cincinnati.
Kalamazoo Wings single game and season tickets are available now! More information can be gathered at www.kwings.com/seasontickets.
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