Walleye wrap up weekend with back-to-back shutouts

TOLEDO, Ohio – One night after demolishing the Fort Wayne Komets by an 11-goal margin, the Toledo Walleye returned to the Huntington Center and blanked the Indy Fuel 5-0 on Sunday in front of a capacity crowd of 7,595.

Kaden Fulcher turned away all 27 shots he faced to collect his first professional shutout and improve to 3-0 all-time against the Fuel (27-27-2-1). A.J. Jenks added two goals – including his third power play marker of the three-game home stand – while Shane Berschbach, Trevor Hamilton and Dylan Sadowy each chipped in with a goal and an assist.

The Walleye (33-15-5-3) were flawless while donning special Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-inspired jerseys, which were auctioned following Saturday’s game and raised $29,400 for Veterans Matter and the Walleye Wishing Well. The result also marks the first time Toledo has picked up consecutive clean sheets since blanking Kansas City and Wichita, respectively, on home ice from Feb. 10-11, 2018.

Berschbach drew first blood for Toledo just 1:20 into the opening stanza. Sadowy gained the Indy line and found Berschbach in the high slot before the latter flipped a backhanded effort into the top right corner.

Leading 1-0 after 20 minutes, the Walleye opened the floodgates with three goals in a 4:51 second-period span. Sadowy gained control of a Tyler Spezia pass at the right goal line, and snapped a shot from the lower part of the right circle through Gordon Defiel’s five-hole at the 11:13 mark.

Any chance for Indy to make a comeback bid was foiled as Toledo converted on back-to-back power play chances. After batting down Marcus Crawford’s chest-high pass in the slot, Jenks moved from backhand to forehand in close to give the Walleye a 3-0 advantage at 14:16. Fewer than two minutes later, Crawford set up Hamilton for a one-timer from the top of the left circle that beat Defiel to his near post to make it 4-0 heading into the second intermission.

The one-way traffic continued as Jenks potted an even-strength tally with 13:43 left in the contest. Jordan Toppingcentered a pass toward the slot to Jenks, who smashed a wrist shot into the top left corner to move into a four-way tie for the club lead with his 18th goal of the season, joining Berschbach, Sadowy and Greg Wolfe.

Toledo finished 2-for-6 on the man advantage, while Indy failed to score on a pair of opportunities. Defiel turned aside 32-of-37 shots in a losing cause.

What’s Next:The Walleye take to the road for their next three games, beginning on Wednesday when they square off against the Brampton Beast. Puck drop from the CAA Centre is set for 7:15 p.m.

Three Stars:1. Toledo – Kaden Fulcher (SO, 27 saves)2. Toledo – A.J. Jenks (two goals)3. Toledo – Shane Berschbach (goal, assist)