ECHL Western Conference Finals - Recap Game 4: Kansas City Mavericks vs. Toledo Walleye

ECHL Western Conference Finals – Recap Game 4: Kansas City Mavericks vs. Toledo Walleye

Photo of the ECHL Western Conference Final 2025

Ohio’s for lovers, well, until you meet in game 4 of the Western Conference Finals like the Toledo Walleye and Kansas City Mavericks did Thursday night. The Mavericks needed the win to tie things up. Toledo looks to be the first team to win at home. For the goaltenders, Walleye starts Carter Gylander, who brought them the win in game two. Jack LaFontaine returned for his fourth game of the series.

First Period

Things got underway, and 3:38 of solid play, when Walleye Brandon Kruse gave the Mavericks the night’s first power play with a slashing penalty. Toledo’s plays keep the shots in their favor throughout the first half of the period, and continues to work Jack LaFontaine like he owes them money. Walleye Carson Bantle receives a penalty shot when Jack LaFontaine’s stick gets caught up with him in the blue zone, and LaFontaine denies him. 5:12 left in the period, things get chippy and Colby Ambrosio high-sticks Nate Knoepke giving the Mavericks a four-minute double-minor power play. The Mavericks’ defense worked hard this period, keeping the game scoreless with shots on goal 15-3 favoring Toledo.

Second Period

Toledo controls the first three minutes of the period when the puck drops, taking the lead at 3:13 with Colin Swoyer finding the net. Maverick Marcus Crawford gives Toledo their first power play with a roughing penalty at 5:36. Frustration continues to mount, and players react more as the period progresses. Toledo’s Conlan Keenan makes it 2-0 with 11:45 left in the period.

Walleye Nick Andrews gets called for high-sticking, putting Kansas City back on the power play for the third time. Nick Andrews returns to the ice and makes it 3-0 within seconds, Walleye. Mavericks Justin MacPherson gets called for roughing, putting the Walleye on the man advantage with 3:35 to go in the period. Thirty-eight seconds left Walleye Billy Moskal gets called for tripping, giving Mavericks the power play to bridge the intermission. Walleyes lead 3-0. Carter Gylander has made eight saves this game compared to Jack LaFontaine’s 32.

Third Period

Face off in defensive territory with 1:22 left on the Mavericks’ power play, they continue to be unable to make it past Carter Gylander. This would continue to be the night theme for the Mavericks, who led the first half of the period in shots on goal. With 7:28 left in the period, Mavericks Nolan Sullivan takes a roughing penalty from a scrum behind the Mavericks’ net. For the third time, the Walleye had the man advantage, and with 5:58 left, Trenton Bliss made it 4-0.

Next play Walleye Billy Moskal takes his second penalty of the game for slashing, Mavericks Luke Loheit makes a short handed goal with 4:30 remaining making it 4-1. Nolan Sullivan puts the Walleye on the last power play of the night with a Slashing penalty called after a nasty scrum behind the Walleye net. Another vicious scrum would break out at 1:15 with Toledo’s Sam Craggs and Mavericks’ Justin MacPherson receiving roughing penalties, while Mavericks Jimmy Mazza received a ten-minute misconduct penalty for inciting. With 47.3 seconds left, Marcus Crawford gave Toledo the five-to-three man advantage. Game ends, Toledo wins 4-. Jack LaFontaine makes 40 saves, seeing the Walleye just dominate the game. Carter Gylander has 18 saves.

Stars of the Game

First Star- Colin Swoyer (Toledo)

Second Star- Conlan Keenan (Toledo)

Third Star- Nick Andrews (Toledo)

Upcoming

The Kansas City Mavericks are one game away from facing the same results as last year’s Conference Final. They must regroup and attack the next game to avoid a repeat. With the way game four went, there is a high possibility that we could see the Toledo Walleye making their second consecutive visit to the Kelly Cup Final. Game Five takes place in Toledo on Saturday at 6:15 CDT.