Toledo (25-10-3-2) boasted a stronger lineup in its first game since hosting the 2019 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, as Spezia and Trevor Hamilton returned from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, while Ryan Obuchowski was activated after missing two games due to injury. Kaden Fulcher turned aside 24-of-26 shots to improve his record to 11-3-2-2.
The Walleye negated three power play chances in the opening period, but Cincinnati (27-8-3-3) broke the deadlock 8:14 into the contest. Mike Marnell’s wrist shot from the lower part of the right circle was blocked by Fulcher’s right arm, but Brady Vail was positioned in front to snap the rebound inside the left post.
Toledo controlled the play throughout the middle stanza, tallying three unanswered goals while outshooting the Cyclones by a 15-3 margin. The hosts pulled even on their first power play of the night when a Matt Register wrist shot from the right point grazed Kea’s stick in the high slot and dipped past Michael Houser at the 5:35 mark.
Spezia added a strong individual effort to give the Walleye a 2-1 edge 1:07 later. The speedy winger gained the zone on the right side and crashed the net, moving to his forehand before sliding a shot between the pads of Houser.
The Walleye continued their second-period shooting gallery as Sadowy netted what proved to be the game-winner with 4:09 left in the frame. Houser blocked Kea’s backhanded shot from the lower part of the right circle, only for Sadowy to poke the rebound through the five-hole for his ninth goal of the campaign.
The Walleye were a pair of goalposts away from blowing the game open near the midway point of the third, but Cincinnati eventually trimmed its deficit in half with 3:59 to go in regulation. Marnell’s backhanded pass out of the left corner reached Anthony Florentino at the right point for a slapshot inside the left post. The Cyclones pulled Houser and burned their timeout with under a minute remaining in regulation, but were unable to find an equalizer as the Walleye held on for another crucial one-goal victory.
Toledo finished 1-for-5 on the man advantage, while Cincinnati failed to convert on six opportunities. Houser blocked 28-of-31 shots in a losing cause.
With Toledo Walleye release
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