CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Toledo Walleye (24-17-0-4) moved to within five points of the North Division lead as they shutout the Cincinnati Cyclones (26-15-4-1) by a final score of 2-0 in front of 3,923 at U.S. Bank Arena on Thursday night.
The Cyclones were charged with four consecutive penalties in the opening frame and the Walleye finally capitalized with less than a minute remaining. At 19:24, Toledo forward Joey Martin caught a Cody Lampl pass between the circles and slipped the puck between the legs of Cincinnati goaltender Michael Houser (L, 24 saves, 7-4-0) while Andrew Conboy was sitting in the penalty box for cross-checking. The Walleye took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
After a scoreless second period, the Walleye struck again 13:18 into the final stanza as Stephon Thorne knocked in a rebound after Houser turned away back-to-back shots, making it 2-0. Toledo net minder Kent Simpson (W, 20 saves, 10-9-0-3) collected ten more saves in the third period and earned his first professional shutout. The Walleye prevailed 2-0.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Kent Simpsn (20 saves, game winning goaltender for Toledo)
Second Star: Joey Martin (1 goal, game winning goal for Toledo)
Third Star: Stephon Thorne (1 goal for Toledo)
The Cyclones will play their next four games on the road, beginning tomorrow night against the Evansville IceMen. Fans can hear all the action of the game on the Cyclones Radio Network (FM 100 The FAN, America One, CyclonesHockey.com) starting at 7:55pm with the opening face-off to follow at 8:15pm.
The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena on Tuesday, February 12 when they welcome in the Fort Wayne Komets at 7:30pm.
