TOLEDO, Ohio – Game One of the ECHL Western Conference Finals of the Kelly Cup playoffs saw Toledo grab the 1-0 series advantage fueled by the first 90-seconds of the second period as Colorado gave up two quick goals for the 3-1 lead.
Colorado added a late second period tally to bring the visitors to within one, but were unable to find the equalizer despite out-shooting the Walleye 32-28 in the game.
At 1:57 of the first period Darryl Bootland got the scoring started on a scramble in front of the Toledo net when he fished out a loose puck and sent it past Walleye goal keeper, Jeff Lerg, for the early lead in game one.
Alden Hirschfeld answered back with 20-seconds left in the period to tie the game at one
goal each.
Toledo’s Dane Walters opened the scoring in the second frame, in close on a power play chance, for the home team’s first lead of the game 29-seconds into the period.
Close on the heels of the go-ahead goal, A.J. Jenks opened up a two goal lead less than a minute later.
After trading penalties for much of the remaining second period, Alex Belzile pulled the Eagles within one goal, scoring his 11th goal in 10 playoff games.
Leading 3-2 to begin the third period, the smothering defense of the Toledo Walleye managed to keep the Eagles from generating the tying goal. With goalie Kent Simpson pulled for the man advantage, Shane Bershbach filled the empty net for the final score of 4-2 for the home team.
Adding to the Eagle’s futility is their inability to score on the power play in the last four games. Toledo managed one of four power play goals, as opposed to Colorado’s zero for three.
Saddled with the loss was Simpson, who stopped 24 of 27 shots.
The game winning goalie was Jeff Lerg while saving 30 of the 32 shots he faced.
Game two is tonight at Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio. Game time is 7:35 P.M. ET
Article and pictures courtesy Terry Sanford for Prohockeynews.com
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