TOLEDO, Ohio – A three-goal third period lifted the Toledo Walleye (49-14-5-2) over the Cincinnati Cyclones (31-30-2-8) by a 5-2 final score in front of 6,109 at Huntington Center on Friday night. The victory also gave Toledo its first North Division title.
Toledo used a flurry of power play chances to cash in the game's first goal; at 10:38, Troy Schwab and Shane Berschbach set up Tyler Barnes in the slot, who promptly fired a puck past Rob Madore (L, 17 saves, 16-19-2-7) to make it 1-0. The Cyclones would respond with a man-advantage of their own at 15:52 as David MacDonald cranked a point shot past a well-screened Jeff Lerg (W, 38 saves, 32-8-2-1) to even things at one through 20 minutes.
The middle stanza, much like the first, was riddled with man-advantage opportunities. The Cyclones briefly pulled out in front when Jack Downing sent a one-timer past Lerg for his 22nd goal of the season to make it 2-1 at the 3:31 mark. However, the Walleye would respond moments later when A.J. Jenks backhanded home the equalizer at 5:41 - making it a 2-2 game. Through 40 minutes, the clubs combined for eight power play chances.
Toledo secured the lead for good just 37 seconds into the final period when Kevin Clare's point shot changed direction and beat Madore to make it a 3-2 affair. Barnes gave the Walleye a bit of breathing room when he tucked a puck from behind the goal line past the Cincinnati backstop at 8:56 - extending the lead to 4-2. In the waning minutes, the Cyclones pulled the goalie in hopes of rallying with the extra skater. Unfortunately, though, Jenks potted the empty net lamplighter with 1:36 to play in the tilt to seal a 5-2 win for the Walleye.
The Cyclones will close their 72-game regular season slate tomorrow night with one last visit to Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. The Clones and Komets drop the puck at 7:30pm with pregame coverage beginning at 7:10pm on the Cyclones Radio Network. Fans can also watch the action LIVE at the Game Time Sports Bar & Grill in Cheviot.
Should the Cyclones qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs, they would be a lower seed and would be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena for Game 3 of the best-of-seven series against either Fort Wayne or Toledo. Stay tuned for all the latest details on CyclonesHockey.com. Playoff ticket packages are on sale NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to secure your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram!
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Walleye Take North Division Crown with 5-2 Win Over Cyclones
