The Toledo Walleye exploded for four goals in the third period as they earned a 5-2 victory over visiting Atlanta at the Huntington Center on Sunday.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the third, Toledo (37-14-7) battled back to earn its fourth straight win in come-from-behind fashion.

The Walleye knotted the score at 2 by way of a Mitchell Lewandowski goal 3:44 into the final period. Then the hosts managed three straight goals — two with the net empty — in less than three minutes to put Atlanta (26-26-5) away.

Tanner Palocsik’s goal, assisted by Bobby Russell and Brandon Kruse, at 16:31 of the period helped the Walleye reclaim a 3-2 lead. Sam Craggs notched his second goal of the game at 18:09, assisted by Colin Swoyer.

For good measure, with 54 seconds remaining, Lewandowski got on the board again for Toledo’s three-goal advantage.

The rest of the goals scored came in the middle period.

Craggs gave the Walleye a 1-0 lead just 1:20 into the second. But the Gladiators responded in a big way, scoring twice in a span of 2:44.

Carson Denomie’s goal at 5:04 of the second period tied the game, then Randy Hernandez put the Gladiators on top (2-1) at 7:48. Blake Murray recorded the assist on Hernandez’s goal.

While both Craggs and Lewandowski managed a pair of goals for the Walleye, they also had Swoyer and Kruse finish with two assists each. Brandon Hawkins, Russell, Nolan Moyle, and Griffin Ness also added assists.

Toledo finished with a 34-28 edge in shots on goal. In net for the Walleye, Carter Gylander stopped 26 of 28 Atlanta shots.

Toledo visits Cincinnati at 7:35 p.m. Friday at Heritage Bank Center.

First Published March 10, 2025, 12:43 a.m.