KALAMAZOO — Ben Berard’s overtime goal sent the Toledo Walleye to defeat Saturday on Hockey Heritage Night at Kalamazoo, with the host Wings prevailing 4-3.
The goal at 1:21 of the extra period came after Toledo rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period.
Toledo scored twice in the final seven minutes of regulation. Carson Bantle netted his 12th goal of the year with 6:04 to go, and Darian Pilon tied things 32 seconds later.
Jed Pietila assisted on the Bantle goal, and Jalen Smereck and Casey Dornbach assisted on the equalizer.
Pilon scored his first goal as a Walleye player 1:44 into the contest, with Dornbach and Pietila assisting. But Kalamazoo soon took control, with Blake Christensen scoring at 2:13 and Josh Bloom scoring at 4:11.
Kalamazoo went up 3-1 on Quinn Preston’s goal at 12:20 of the second period.
Kalamazoo outshot Toledo 34-31. Jan Bednar had 30 saves for the Walleye.
The Walleye travel to Cincinnati for a 1:30 p.m. matinee Monday. They return home Friday for a 7:15 p.m. contest against Kalamazoo.
First Published January 19, 2025, 3:28 a.m.
