The Toledo Walleye quickly dispatched the Indy Fuel in the first round of the ECHL playoffs with a dominating, workmanlike effort and contributions from the entire roster.
Toledo has steadily built confidence in all aspects of its game with every member chipping in during the 4-0 elimination of Indy. The Walleye won the first two games of the Central Division semifinals at home before putting the Fuel away with back-to-back road wins.
The Walleye, who were the first ECHL team to clinch a playoff spot, also became the first team in the league to advance to the second round. Toledo is the only team to sweep its first-round opponent.
Toledo now awaits the determination of its opponent in the Central Division finals. The Walleye will play either Cincinnati or Fort Wayne in the next round. Cincinnati leads Fort Wayne 3-1 in the other Central Division semifinal series with Game 5 on Sunday.
The Walleye outscored Indy 17-7 in their first-round sweep as 16 of 19 skaters recorded at least one point.
“Everyone's got a role,” coach Dan Watson said. “They have to make sure they're playing it to the best of their ability. That buy-in has to be huge. No matter what that role is, whether it's big or small, even if you're not in the lineup, it's really important. I just think the depth and commitment that we have speaks volumes to how we wanted to build this team.”
Eleven players have scored at least one goal in the playoffs.
“The belief on our team, on the bench, is incredible right now,” Watson said.
The play of goaltending duo Sebastian Cossa and John Lethemon has been stout.
“It's been coming from everybody, and that's what's going to win a series,” forward Gordie Green said. “Everyone has that capability, and that's the recipe for our success so far.”
The Walleye scored first in all four games, and trailed only once in the entire series, rallying twice in Game 4 to win 5-3.
Toledo ranks second in the league in scoring at 4.25 goals per game. The Walleye also are tied for the ECHL lead in fewest goals allowed per game (1.75).
“Everyone's got to be involved, and we have that depth,” Watson said.
T.J. Hensick, who had 28 points in 21 playoff games last season, has three points in four games this postseason. Hensick is one of just six players on the team who were part of the 2022 playoff team that went 13-7 and reached the Kelly Cup Finals.
“It's going to take contributions up and down the lineup throughout the playoff run,” Hensick said. “Everything has been great. The guys that have defensive roles are killing penalties and getting the puck out when needed. Offensively, it's been someone different all the time. But we're also going to rely on those big guys to score some key goals.”
Rookie forward Trenton Bliss ranks second among ECHL players in scoring with seven points in four games. All three of his goals have come on the power play. Bliss scored the game-winning goal in two of the four games.
The play-making line of Bliss, Green, and Brandon Hawkins has carried their regular-season success into the postseason. The line has accounted for 17 points.
“We've meshed a lot together throughout the whole year,” Hawkins said. “We feed off each other well and, when stuff like that's going right, I just have to find the right space and I know that they're both tremendous passers.”
Hawkins, who set a Walleye franchise record with 39 goals scored during the regular season, has five points in four games.
“Everybody is pulling on the rope in the right direction,” Hawkins said. “That's the biggest thing. Our locker room and our energy are positive, and we're doing all the right things.”
Green has five points (1 G, 4 A) and scored the game-winner in Game 1.
“We have so much confidence in each other,” Green said. “We believe in each other's abilities and we know we're going to make plays.”
Green assisted on the game-winner in Game 4 when he stole the puck behind the Indy net and centered the pass in the slot to Hawkins, who buried his third goal of the playoffs. He also assisted on a Hawkins’ goal that tied the game at 2.
“That's my job,” Green said. “I want to go out there and contribute. If you find Hawkins wide open like that, he's not going to miss.”
Cossa, a rookie, leads the league with a 1.00 goals-against average and save percentage (.958). Cossa, a No. 1 draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2021, has stopped 46 of 48 shots.
Lethemon is 2-0 and has a 2.50 goals-against average. The ECHL goaltender of the year has a .912 save percentage. Lethemon gave up three goals in the first two periods of Thursday's clinching win in Indy, but made 10 of 10 stops in the third to allow the Walleye to rally.
“He stood tall at the beginning of the third to give us that opportunity,” said Watson, who has rotated his goalie tandem in each game. “We're not disappointed with his play at all because we ended up getting a chance.”
Forward Sam Craggs leads the ECHL in shooting percentage, scoring on two of three shots. Forward Kirill Tyutyayev ranks third among rookies with five points (1 G, 4 A). Seth Barton ranks third among all defensemen in the league with four points (1 G, 3 A).
Toledo would start on the road against Cincinnati in the next round. The Walleye would have home-ice advantage if they play Fort Wayne. The Walleye went 4-4-2 against Fort Wayne and 5-4-2 against Cincinnati during the regular season.
“We've got bigger and better things ahead,” Watson said.
First Published April 29, 2023, 9:18 p.m.
