Chicago's Comeback Falls Short, Toledo Wins 4-3
December 14, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Chicago Express News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, came roaring back in the third period with two goals, but it was one short as the Walleye held on for a 4-3 win.
The Express struck first when Walleye D Matt Krug broke his stick in the neutral zone and LW Mike Embach pushed the puck forward, performed a toe-drag in front of the net and wristed an unassisted goal over the glove of G Thomas McCollum at 6:30. The Express ended the period with a 1-0 lead despite Toledo holding a 16-8 shot advantage.
Toledo answered back early and often in the second period starting at 1:46 on a power play when RW Christopher DiDomenico took a pass from LW Andrej Nestrasil and fired it over the blocker of G Allen York. Just under two minutes later, DiDomenico knifed through the Express defense and lifted another goal, this time unassisted, over the shoulder of York to give the Walleye the lead. Toledo kept the momentum rolling at 8:01 when RW Kyle Rogers beat York to a loose puck and slid the puck past the Chicago netminder and into the net. Just 27 seconds later, LW Joey Martin deflected a shot from Rogers into the top corner of the net, giving Toledo a 4-1 lead. Toledo finished out the second frame with a 28-13 shot advantage.
Chicago's offense got on track in the third period, starting with a goal from F Kyle Ostrow 5:21 into the third period. RW Tyler Donati fed a pass through the crease and Ostrow slammed it home to bring the score to 4-2. RW Chaz Johnson brought the Express back to within one with a power play goal from the left circle with 4:54 left to play. Toledo locked down defensively after the goal, and skated away with a 4-3 win.
Power plays: CHI: 1/3; TOL: 1/5
Three stars: 1. C. DiDomenico (TOL); 2. T. Donati (TOL); 3. K. Rogers (TOL)
Notes:
RW Chaz Johnson recorded his 1,000th PIM with a second period penalty... The Express lost for the first time this season when leading after the first period. They are now 9-1-0 when leading after one... For the first time this season, Chicago failed to earn a point when scoring first, now at 8-1-1 when scoring the game's first goal.
Chicago is back at the Sears Centre on Friday, Dec. 16 for a Dollar Friday game, featuring one dollar beers and one dollar hot dogs. It also Teddy Bear Toss, so bring a new stuffed animal to game to throw on the ice when the Express score their first goal.
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