Hilbrich hat trick the difference in Walleye win

TOLEDO, OH – Christian Hilbrich’s hat trick led Toledo to a 6-3 win over Fort Wayne on Thursday at the Huntington Center. The Walleye are now 9-2-2-0 on the season and 4-0-0-0 at home.

Hilbrich put the Walleye in an early 2-0 lead over Fort Wayne in the first five minutes of the opening frame, good for his sixth and seventh goals of the season. Tyler Barnes was credited with assists on both goals.

Kevin Tansey netted his fifth of the season just 2:52 into the second period to extend the Walleye lead to 3-0. He now leads all defenseman on the team in points and goals. Fort Wayne crept back into the game with three consecutive goals by Dennis Kravchenko, Shawn Szydlowski and Kravchenko a second time, in the middle frame, tying the game after two periods of play.

The Walleye went on to score three consecutive goals in the third, starting with Hilbrich completing his bid for a hat trick. Just 30 seconds later, A.J. Jenks extended the Walleye lead to 5-3, his fifth of the season. Five minutes later, Jenks netted his second of the game, pushing the Walleye lead to 6-3.

Fish Tales: Pat Nagle got the start against his former team and stopped 33 of the 36 shots he faced and is now 8-0-2 on the season.