Walleye falls short as Cincinnati scores late in Saturday night’s 4-3 loss | Pro Hockey News

Toledo, OH – The Toledo Walleye fell 4-3 to the Cincinnati Cyclones tonight at the Huntington Center. Johnny Waldron scored the first goal of the evening, his 4^e Point out as many games as possible with the Walleye. Tanner Kelly and Nate Roy both scored as well, and Brandon Kruse had an assist in his first game this season.

How it happened:

Cincinnati got the scoring started quickly with a goal from Nick Rhéaume just 10 seconds into the first period, his 10^e of the season to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. The Walleye bounced back, however, as Johnny Waldron scored his third goal with the Walleye at 9:17 of the first, tying the game at one goal apiece. Tanner Dickinson and Colin Swoyer had assists on goal.

Cincinnati got the lead back less than three minutes later, when Sam Stevens scored his second goal in as many days to put the Cyclones back up 2-1 on the Walleye. Tanner Kelly got the ball back within two minutes and scored his fifteen^e goal of the season. Brandon Kruse and Sam Craggs got the assists on goal at 14:31 of the first period, resulting in a 2-2 tie.

Aaron Chiarot was called for a cross-check in the Cincinnati end, giving Toledo their first chance on the power play for the day 16:29 into the first. The Cyclones were able to kill the penalty, but took another shot 45 seconds later on a high stick from Jake Johnson. There was still 1:14 of the penalty kick remaining as the teams took the 2-2 tie in the second period.

Denis Smirnov was called for Toledo’s first penalty of the match for a high stick (2:44) in the second period. The Walleye killed the penalty and Smirnov had a solid scoring opportunity coming out of the box but couldn’t convert.

Cincinnati broke the ice in the second period, scoring at 13:17 of the second period. Ryan Kirwan scored the goal, his 17^e of the season, giving Cincinnati a 3-2 lead after sustained pressure. Toledo responded almost immediately, as Nate Roy scored his 9^e goal of the season on a breakaway 14:32 into the second. Colby Ambrosio had the only assist on the goal, bringing the game back to 3-3.

Justin Portillo cross-checked for Cincinnati, giving Toledo their third power play of the day. The penalty was killed by Cincinnati and the 3-3 tie would continue into the third period.

Colin Swoyer and Sam Stevens each received coincidental minors, leading to two minutes of 4-on-4 hockey (5:25) in the third period. Neither team scored before penalties expired. Will MacKinnon took an interference minor with 8:38 left in the period, giving Cincinnati a power play opportunity at a crucial point in the game. Toledo ended it and kept the momentum in the draw.

Nick Rhéaume scored his second goal of the evening to take the lead for Cincinnati with four minutes left in regulation, taking the wind out of Toledo’s sails. The Walleye pulled Matt Jurusik with 2:30 left in regulation time, looking to respond to a Cincinnati goal for the fourth time tonight. However, they fell just short, as the 4-3 score remained final. Both teams were winless on special teams (Toledo went 0-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill) and defeated Cincinnati 30-26.

Local 245 Three stars:

1 – F Nick Rhéaume, CIN (2 G, 1 A, GWG)

2 – F Sam Stevens, CIN (1 G, 3 A)

3 – F Ryan Kirwan, CIN (1 G, 1 A)