Nine players have scored game-winning goals this season for the Toledo Walleye, who have climbed to first place in their division behind offensive depth and balanced scoring.
The Walleye are on a season-high six-game winning streak and sit in first place in the ECHL Central Division with a 17-4-3 record.
Toledo has scored 4.71 goals per game, second most in the ECHL. Twelve Walleye players have already reached double figures in points.
“It’s coming from everybody, which is what we need to be built around,” coach Pat Mikesch said.
The Walleye’s high skill level, elite speed, and puck-handling abilities allow the team to possess the puck for lengthy stints in their opponent’s end of the ice.
“We’re winning races to the net and we’re hard to play against,” Mikesch said.
Toledo has scored 33 goals during its six-game winning streak (5.5 per game), including wins of 6-4 and 6-5 over Cincinnati and 7-3 at Iowa.
The Walleye also have been hot overall in December, posting an 8-1-1 this month.
Left winger Conlan Keenan is one of six forwards who have tallied 19 or more points in 24 games. Keenan ranks fifth on the team with 19 points (13 G, 6 A).
“We’re really deep. There are a lot of great hockey players in that room. That really makes it great,” Keenan said. “Everyone in that locker room can play with anyone. It’s cool to see and it’s a unique advantage we have. Guys can get inserted wherever and have been able to adapt.”
Forward Brandon Hawkins, who leads the teams in points (34) and assists (19), said the balanced offensive output makes his job easier.
“Other teams have to worry about all three lines,” Hawkins said. “They can’t just focus on one. That’s a big thing for us.”
Hawkins, who set a franchise record with 39 goals last season, is riding a six-game point streak. He has collected 10 points (4G, 6A) during the run. He also ranks third in the ECHL overall in points with 34.
Hawkins is tied with Sam Craggs for the lead in goals (15). Craggs, who is second on the team in scoring with 28 points, is having a breakout campaign in his second season in Toledo.
“We just come in waves, and I think that’s a big thing for us,” Hawkins said. “We just go out and win the game our way.”
Forward Trenton Bliss ranks third with 26 points (10 G, 16 A), while Brandon Kruse (8 G, 14 A) and Mitchell Lewandowski (6 G, 16 A) each have 22 points. Orrin Centazzo (18 points in 18 games) and Chase Gresock (16 points) also have been consistent producers.
Defensemen Riley McCourt (16) and Will Cullen (15) also are among the top 10 scorers.
Both Mikesch and Hawkins pointed out that the team has avoided injuries so far and has not been too hampered by the loss of players to call-ups.
“We need to collect as many points as we can here,” Hawkins said. “It’s just a good thing to win as many as we can when we can here.”
The team’s medical staff has had a quiet year so far. Keenan said the players’ commitment to conditioning is paying dividends.
“We’re all putting in the time off the ice and during the year so far in practice,” Keenan said. “A lot of credit goes to the guys for taking care of their bodies with injury prevention. We’re all doing the little stuff to get ready to perform on the ice.”
The depth on the bench was reflected in the departure of forward Kirill Tyutyayev on Wednesday. Tyutyayev, who was the team’s third-leading scorer last season, had seen his ice time decline in recent weeks. The young Russian forward opted to sign with a team in his home country.
But one minor complaint Mikesch brought up was the team’s occasional habit of being too creative. He said sometimes his forwards are making extra passes to attempt to set up spectacular scoring sequences.
“Sometimes we’re turning down opportunities and trying to get a little too cute at times,” Mikesch said. “But it’s nice to have all the lines [going] and even getting the extra forwards and our D all involved.”
ECHL teams, which are Double-A level, also are at the mercy of the health of the players on their affiliates in the AHL and NHL.
“Things can change quickly,” Mikesch said.
Mikesch said one point of emphasis former Walleye coach Dan Watson made to him was to strike while the iron is hot.
“We’ve had things go our way. We’ve been fairly healthy and we’ve had minimal call-ups,” Mikesch said. “You’re gonna have times where things aren’t going your way. So it’s important to get these points when you have the opportunity to do that. When you’ve got your group [intact], you’ve got to make sure you take care of your points.”
First Published December 27, 2023, 6:52 p.m.
