Walleye Blank Cyclones, 2-0

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Second-year netminder Thomas McCollum turned aside 18 shots to help his Toledo Walleye (11-14-2-1) earn a 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones (11-12-5-2) in front of 6,224 at U.S. Bank Arena on Tuesday night.  It was the third largest crowd of the season for Cincinnati.

The teams traded chances in the opening frame, but neither was able to find the net.  However, midway through the second period, the Walleye were able to tally as Zach Torquato stuffed home a loose puck that was seemingly covered by Cyclones netminder Chet Pickard (L, 23 saves, 1-5-0-0).  After a brief discussion by the officials, though, the goal stood and it gave the Walleye a 1-0 lead through 40 minutes.

Toledo goalie Thomas McCollum (W, 18 saves, 2-0-0) stood on his head several times during the third period to keep Cincinnati off the scoreboard.  Late in the game, though, the ‘Clones were able to bury one past him – only to have it waived off by referee Nick Kresbach.  So instead of a 2-1 score with an opportunity to tie late in the game, the Walleye remained up 2-0 and held on to win by the same score.

As time expired, several different sets up players dropped the gloves in front of the Toledo bench in perhaps a foreshadowing of things to come this weekend when the teams meet again in Toledo.

The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
1.    Zach Torquato (Game-winning goal for Toledo)
2.    Thomas McCollum (18 saves, shutout, winning goalie)
3.    Jason Lepine (Goal for Toledo)

The Cyclones will ring in 2011 on Saturday night in Toledo when the same two teams drop the puck at the Huntington Center.  Pre-game coverage will begin on CyclonesHockey.com at 6:45pm.

The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday, January 12 when they welcome in the Kalamazoo Wings for a 7:30pm face-off.  It will be another Wet Wednesday, where fans can purchase $1 PBR and Miller High Life all night long.  Discounted ticket packages and single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are available now.  For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.

Click here for tonight’s box score.