Saturday’s game kicked off the first of two Warner Brothers Weekend games in Toledo. Walleye players wore specialty jerseys displaying an array of Looney Tunes characters. The jerseys were auctioned off after the game. All proceeds benefited Toledo Newsboys, which provides children in Toledo with warm coats and shoes and helps families in their time of need.
Toledo was out for revenge as Kalamazoo handed them their first loss since December 6th last night. Kalamazoo snapped a 14-game win streak for Toledo.
John Lethemon was in charge of defending the home net for the Walleye. Pavel Cajan was between the pipes for Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo struck first in Period One. David Keefer snuck one by Lethemon at 6:28. Collin Adams and Luke Morgan had the assists. Toledo’s Alexandre Doucet was called for high-sticking, and Conlan Keenan was called for hooking in back-to-back penalties, giving Kalamazoo a five-on-three advantage. The Walleye were able to kill off the penalty to end the period.
In Period Two, Toledo’s Brandon Hawkins was sent to the box for hooking at 5:39, giving Kalamazoo another man advantage. The Wings could not capitalize, and the Walleye were able to kill off another penalty. Toledo’s Hawkins scored his 20th goal of the season to tie up the game at 11:56. Assists went to Trenton Bliss and Jake Willets. Late in the period, at 18:59, the Wings’ Collin Adams found the back of the net for an unassisted goal. Period Two would end with the Wings up 2-1.
Period Three opened with another Toledo penalty. Orrin Centazzo was called for tripping and went to the Walleye penalty box. Toledo fought off Kalamazoo for the penalty kill. A few minutes later, Toledo would find themselves at another disadvantage when Brandon Kruse was sent to the penalty box for slashing. The Walleye were all business with another successful penalty kill.
The Wings received their first penalty of the game at 9:59 when Jordan Seyfert was sent to the box for interference. Kalamazoo killed off the penalty. Late in the period, Toledo’s Hawkins was sent to the penalty box for tripping, and Bliss served a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. Kalamazoo had a two-man advantage for a full two minutes. Immediately after killing off the seventh penalty of the game, the Walleye were sent back into the box for having too many men on the ice. Toledo fought off eight power plays but fell short in goals. Kalamazoo would take the game 2-1.
The Walleye will return in The Pond on Sunday, January 14, against the Indy Fuel. The puck drops at 5:15 p.m. Sunday’s game will conclude their Warner Brothers Weekend with specialty Flinstones jerseys and a CatTrick Squishy giveaway for the first 1,500 kids ages 12 and under.
