ECHL Game Recap: Toledo Walleye vs. Fort Wayne Komets | 01/05/2024

The Toledo Walleye hosted the Fort Wayne Komets as they held their first-ever Mental Heath Awareness Night on Friday, January 5. The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County hosted the events. Before the game, former Walleye and current broadcaster Simon Denis and Toledo’s team psychologist, Ruth Ann Tetz, led a pregame Hockey Talks conversation about mental health. In addition, the first 1,500 fans received a Toledo Walleye mini hockey stick that stated, “Check in on each other.”  

Jan Bednar defended the home net for Toledo. Brett Brochu was between the pipes for Fort Wayne. Period One was clean hockey with only one penalty. Fort Wayne’s Cameron Supryka was called for interference at 9:57. Toledo was unable to capitalize on the power play. No goals were scored by either team. Toledo’s Bednar ended the period with six saves, and Fort Wayne’s Brochu had 15.

The Komets succumbed to defeat in Period Two as the Walleye connected and scored an influx of goals. A scrum in front of the net caused Fort Wayne’s goaltender to lose his stick. He was stuck defending the net with his glove and his body. The Walleye were able to capitalize by keeping the puck in the zone. The ECHL December Player of the Month, Brandon Hawkins, would score seconds later at 8:28. Riley McCourt and Orrin Centazzo had the assists. Toledo’s Riley Sawchuck scored an unassisted goal at 11:29 to put the Walleye up 2-0. Matt Anderson would be the next to score at 16:00. Centazzo and Hawkins had the assists. The final goal of the game, and the period, was scored by Sam Craggs at 17:31. Conlan Keenan and Grant Loven had the assists. Each team was assessed two penalties during Period Two. Toledo’s Bednar had 15 saves, and Fort Wayne’s Brochu had 12. 

Period Three was much like Period One. The Komets had a puck sneak by Bednar, but after review, the goal was waved off for interference. Bednar had eight saves in the period for a total of 29 in the game, and Brochu had 13 saves in the period and 40 in the game. The final horn sounded to signal a 4-0 victory for the Toledo Walleye. In front of 8,128 Walleye fans, Bednar recorded his first professional shutout. 

Toledo will return to the ice to take on the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday. The puck drops at Heritage Bank Center at 7:35 p.m.