Toledo Wins 5-2 to Even Series
Toledo, Ohio – The Toledo Walleye got goals from 5 different players and Billy Christopoulos saved 23 of 25 as they defeated the Utah Grizzlies 5-2 to even the Western Conference Finals 1 game apiece in front of a sellout crowd of 8600 at Huntington Center.
Utah led 1-0 after 1 period as Luke Martin scored 12:08 in. Ben Tardif and Charle-Edouard D’Astous got the assists. All 3 skaters have a current 3 game point scoring streak.
Toledo tied it up 2:26 into the second period as TJ Hensick scored from the right circle. Cam Clarke gave the Walleye a lead on a power play goal 5:15 in. Utah tied the game 13:01 in as Joey Colatarci scored his first of the playoffs. Matt Berry retook the lead for the Walleye with 3:31 left on a power play goal. Toledo led 3-2 after 2 periods. Walleye went 2 for 2 on the power play while Utah was 0 for 3.
Walleye extended the lead 1:24 into the third as Brett McKenzie scored his 3rd of the series. Marcus Vela completed the scoring with a goal 7:48 in. Mitchell Heard and Blake Hillman each had 2 assists for Toledo, who has scored 27 goals in their last 6 games.
Toledo outshot Utah 40 to 25. Luke Martin and Ben Tardif each had 6 shots for Utah. Brett McKenzie had 7 shots to lead the Walleye.
Game 3 is at Maverik Center on Tuesday, May 24 at 7:10 pm. Tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com or by calling (801) 988-8000. Utah also hosts Toledo for game 4 on May 27 and game 5 on May 28. Face-off for every Grizzlies home game in the Western Conference starts at 7:10 pm.
3 stars
- TJ Hensick (Toledo) – 1 goal, 1 assist.
- Mitchell Heard (Toledo) – 2 assists.
- Blake Hillman (Toledo) – 2 assists.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers