CINCINNATI – The Walleye could not hang on to a late 2-0 lead and ultimately fell in overtime to Cincinnati tonight.
Toledo forward Kevin Lynch scored twice but the Cyclones scored two goals in a span of three minutes to tie the game at 2 midway through the third period. Cincinnati then scored 1:36 into overtime to hand the Walleye a 3-2 loss.
Toledo (1-0-1) took a 1-0 lead when Lynch collected a loose puck and wristed a shot past goaltender Rob Madore at 2:26 of the first period. Defenseman Russ Sinkewich collected the lone assist on the first professional goal for Lynch, a rookie who played at the University of Michigan.
At 2:46 of the third period, Max Nicastro fired a shot from the blueline that was stopped but Lynch fired in the rebound for a 2-0 Walleye lead.
But the Cyclones pulled within one on Paul Crowder's goal and tied it at 2 when John McFarland scored with just over nine minutes left in regulation.
In overtime, defenseman Antoine Corbin blasted a shot past Toledo goalie Jared Coreau, who finished with 27 saves on 30 shots.
“We played well to earn a point,” Walleye coach Nick Vitucci said. “This is a great rivalry and will continue to be so. Games like this one should be the norm all year.”
The Cyclones ended Toledo's season last year with a 4-2 series win in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Walleye's home opener is at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday against Wheeling.
First Published October 25, 2013, 2:36 a.m.
