The Toledo Walleye are one of the best teams in the ECHL this season, and they are gearing up for a big second half. As a top-tier team, they have everything going for them from top to bottom. One of the biggest reasons for their success is the explosive offense.
The Toledo Walleye Offense Firing on All Cylinders
The Walleye has several contributions throughout the lineup, getting offensive production from everyone in the lineup. Not only an elite team as far as position in the standings, they are second in the league with 155 goals this season and averaging 4.42 goals-per-game. While only forward Brandon Hawkins is in the top 25 for league scoring, Toledo is getting production from top of the lineup to the bottom. Hawkins, scoring a hat trick in the all-star game, leads the ECHL in scoring with 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points.
The Walleye offense is dangerous at full strength and are operating on the power play at a 28.9% clip. The success of the man-advantage can be due to the quick movement of the players, giving the opposition little time to set up their systems. Toledo is also dangerous on the penalty kill, scoring six short-handed goals this season.
Throughout the lineup, Toledo has a strong group that helps them make this team elite in the offensive zone. The Walleye has 10 players with 20 or more points, with only four players not producing a single point since the start of the season. There are currently seven players with 10 or more goals.
Aside from Hawkins, players like Orrin Centazzo, Mitchell Lewandowski, Conlan Keenan, and Sam Craggs continue to lead a potent offensive attack. Toledo has four legit lines that can score on any shift, even getting point production from the defense, as Riley McCourt has one goal and 20 assists for 21 points and Matt Anderson, who has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points.
Hawkins, McCourt, Anderson, Keenan, and Trenton Bliss are all on pace for career-highs in points, while goaltender John Lethemon is in pursuit of a career high in wins. Lewandowski, Brandon Kruse, and Craggs have already exceeded past point totals, while goaltender Jan Bednar also has a career-high in wins.
This team is loaded from top to bottom. An explosive offense, a tough defense, and two solid goaltenders make the Toledo Walleye a serious threat to take it all this season. First-year Head Coach Pat Mikesch has this team focused and determined to make a statement in the second half of the season.
