KALAMAZOO, MI – Powered by Marek Tvrdon’s two-goal performance, and an offensive outburst of 40-shots, the Toledo Walleye cruised past the Kalamazoo Wings, 5-2, on Susan G. Komen night at Wings Event Center on Friday.
Generating a majority of the chances early, the Walleye took an early 1-0 lead. Alden Hirschfeld found room in the slot and fired a wrister from between the faceoff dots, beating Joel Martin over the blocker.
Just eighteen seconds later, the Walleye would extend their lead. Richard Nedomlel took advantage of the flat-footed Wings’ defense and created a two-on-one break with Tyler Sikura. Nedomlel’s initial shot was stopped by Martin, but the rebound landed on the tape of Sikura, who buried the opportunity.
The two-goal deficit held for six minutes before Tyler Shattock generated his first goal of the season. Driving down the right-wing, Shattock lifted a shot from the faceoff dot, which deflected off the stick of a Walleye defensemen, and over the shoulder of Jeff Lerg.
Despite even play through the first half of the middle frame, the Walleye pushed their lead back to two goals. After a tie-up on a faceoff in the Wings’ defensive zone, the puck found the tape of Tvrdon, who displayed great patience and lifted the puck over the outstretched glove of Martin.
Looking to put the game on ice early in the third, the Walleye buzzed around the offensive zone and drew a penalty. On the ensuing power play, Hirschfeld utilized a screen and lifted a wrist-shot from the right circle, burying the puck in the top corner, over the glove of Martin.
Not willing to lay down, the Wings looked to begin their comeback with a four-on-four marker. Alex Mallet found the puck out of a scrum behind the net of Lerg, and walked into the slot and ripped a bullet past the glove of Lerg who was screened by David Gilbert. Anton Cederholm earned his first point as a member of the Wings with the lone assist on the tally.
Halting any chance for a comeback, Tvrdon chipped in his second of the game with an empty-net goal to finish the scoring.
Notes: Tyler Shattock made his Kalamazoo debut. Anton Cederholm recorded his first point as a Wing. Steve McCarthy extended his point streak to three games. The Wings allowed 40 shots on goal for the second consecutive game.
The Kalamazoo Wings return home on Tuesday, October 27, as they host the Indy Fuel at 7:00 p.m. inside Wings Event Center.
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