ESTERO, Fla. – The Toledo Walleye scored two goals in the first period and added single goals in the second and third frames to post a 4-1 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game Three of the Kelly Cup Finals in front of 6,149 fans Wednesday night at Hertz Arena.

Despite the setback, the Blades maintain a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series that continues at Hertz Arena with Game Four on Friday night at 7:30 pm. The teams will also face off in The Swamp in Game Five Saturday at 7:00 pm.

The Everblades paid the price on their first penalty kill of the night as John Albert chipped the puck in on a rebound to put the Walleye up 1-0 at the eleven-minute mark of action. Brandon Hawkins made it a 2-0 Toledo lead 2:25 later on a centering feed from Randy Gazzola. The Walleye struck on one of their two power plays in period one while committing no infractions.

The momentum would not swing in Florida’s favor during a second period which saw its lone goal come from Toledo while shorthanded. Former Everblade Marcus Vela took a Josh Dickinson pass for a breakaway goal over Cam Johnson’s glove side at 18:08 of the middle stanza. The Walleye led the contest 3-0, while also holding 20-18 in shots at the intermission.

Toledo extended the lead to 4-0 with an empty net marker from Hawkins, his second of the night and 15th of the postseason at 16:13 of the final frame.

Blades forward Levko Koper closed out the scoring at 4-1, getting the Everblades on the board at 17:01, off an assist by John McCarron.

Cam Johnson registered 25 saves for the Everblades, while Billy Christopoulos made 30 saves and earned the victory for Toledo.

Tickets for Games Four and Five of the Kelly Cup Finals in Estero on Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 are on sale at the Hertz Arena Fifth Third Box Office and via Ticketmaster. The puck drops at 7:30 pm for Game Four, while Game Five is slated to get underway at 7:00 pm. To learn more, call or text (239) 948-7825 or purchase HERE.

Fans unable to catch any of the Kelly Cup Finals games in person can watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. In addition, fans can listen to the exciting game action online via Mixlr at www.mixlr.com/florida-everblades or on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM.

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JOIN THE FUN

2022 Kelly Cup Playoff Tickets are now on sale. Join the Blades in their pursuit for a second Kelly Cup title! To learn more, call or text (239) 948-7825 or purchase HERE. 

Become a member of the Florida Everblades family by securing a great seat location and big savings with a Blades 365 Membership!

Purchase a new Voucher 12 package that allows you to use 12 tickets in any quantity during the 2022-23 season to earn the exclusive benefits of being a Blades 365 Member! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

Everblades put the FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com or Mixlr at www.mixlr.com/florida-everblades. 

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals.

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