Kalamazoo, MI - The Toledo Walleye open with a 3-2 win in game one of their double-header versus the Kalamazoo Wings. Brandon Hawkins, and Quinn Preston added a goal each to their total, and Kyle Gaffney opened the game with his first of the season.
Here's how it happened:
The Wings struck first in Kalamazoo with #37 Dylan Wendt scoring their first goal of the game just past halfway in the first period. Toledo rallied, scoring their own goal by #48 Kyle Gaffney, his first of the season, with assists by #43 Quinn Preston and #67 Mitch Lewandowski. With under 2 minutes to play, the Walleye picked up their second penalty of the game but held Kalamazoo to their lone goal of the period.
All was quiet in the second period until the Wings collected their second penalty of the game. #16 Brandon Hawkins capitalized on the misstep, slamming the puck home off a ricochet from #28 Brandon Kruse and an assist by #15 Marcus Crawford. Following the goal, a scrum broke out around mid-rink which ended in a pair of penalties for Kalamazoo and one for Toledo, but Toledo wasn't able to score with man advantage.
Kalamazoo got after it early in the third period, jumping ahead with a goal by #8 Brandon Buhr, assisted by #21 Noah Ellis and #16 Ryan St. Louis, tying the game at 2-2. Toledo responded quickly with #43 Quinn Preston going behind the back to put Toledo ahead once again, assisted by #48 Kyle Gaffney and #67 Mitch Lewandowski.
The Wings had one final shot at evening the score after a late penalty by the Walleye. After pulling their goalie, the Wings had a brief 6 on 4 advantage with under a minute to play, but the Walleye held strong and held them off for a 3-2 victory in Kalamazoo.
Local 245 Three Stars:
1. TOL - Q. Preston
2. TOL - K. Gaffney
3. KAL - B. Buhr
The Walleye remain in Michigan for part 2 of their double-header versus the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday, Nov 6 at 7:00pm. You can catch the game LIVE on FloHockey or listen at 1230 The Gambler.
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