Hawkins, Ness Score in Shootout as Toledo Defeats Iowa

December 27, 2024 - ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release

Toledo, OH - The Toledo Walleye defeated the Iowa Heartlanders at the Huntington Center in a shootout with a final score of 4-3.

How it Happened:

Through a physical first period, the Walleye were unable to get on the board after 2 power play opportunities.

Iowa got their first of the night at 15:21 and took the 1-0 lead heading into the 2nd period.

In a 5-goal period of heavy intensity, the game was tied 3-3 going into the final frame, here is how it went down.

Just 1:23 in, Jalen Smereck tied it for the Walleye, scoring his 2nd of the season. Matt Anderson took the lead at 4:00 with his first of the season.

Shortly after, Matt Anderson took a 5-minute major penalty for kneeing and the Heartlanders capitalized and tied it. However, the Fish were able to hold off Iowa for the remainder of the major penalty.

Brandon Hawkins got his 13th of the season after the killed penalty and took the lead for the Walleye yet again. The lead was short lived and Iowa tied it at 3 goals a piece.

The 3rd period was scoreless and had the game still tied at 3-3 as it headed in overtime.

The game couldn't be settled in overtime, and it went to a shootout.

Toledo went 2-0 with goals by Brandon Hawkins and Griffin Ness. Jan Bednar kept both pucks out from the two Iowa shooters and Toledo secured the win.

Three Stars Sponsored by Local 245:

1. TOL - B. Hawkins (1G)

2. IWA - T. Walsh (2G, 1A)

3. TOL - J. Smereck (1G, 1A)

What's Next:

The Toledo Walleye will travel to Indy to play the Fuel for the first time in Indy this season. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from December 27, 2024

• Biakabutuka Is Overtime Hero in Return from Holiday Break - Tulsa Oilers
• Icemen Hold off South Carolina's Rally to Win Wild 7-6 Affair - Jacksonville Icemen
• Rush Offense Records Season-High, Runs Over Grizzlies 6-3 - Rapid City Rush
• Savannah Scores Late Goal, Defeats Norfolk, 5-3 - Norfolk Admirals
• Americans Third Period Rally Falls Short in Loss to KC - Allen Americans
• Lloyd Nets First Game Winner of his Career in OT Victory on Friday Night - Wichita Thunder
• Rush Defeat Grizzlies 6-3 at Maverik Center - Utah Grizzlies
• Cyclones Fall to Nailers 3-2 - Cincinnati Cyclones
• Swamp Rabbits' Comeback Stifled in Overtime - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
• Mavericks Dominate Early, Hold off Americans for 5-2 Victory - Kansas City Mavericks
• Steelheads Grab a Point in 3-2 Overtime Loss vs. Thunder - Idaho Steelheads
• Railers Fall Short 2-1 to Royals - Worcester Railers HC
• Hawkins, Ness Score in Shootout as Toledo Defeats Iowa - Toledo Walleye
• Stingrays' Comeback Falls Just Short in Jacksonville - South Carolina Stingrays
• Everblades Shine On Both Ends In 2-1 Win Over Orlando - Florida Everblades
• Heartlanders Fall in Skills Competition to Walleye, 4-3 - Iowa Heartlanders
• Bison Drop Road Content in Kalamazoo - Bloomington Bison
• Nailers Hold on for Thrilling 3-2 Win - Wheeling Nailers
• K-Wings Pour It On, Take Down Bison Friday - Kalamazoo Wings
• Thunder Stumble Against Lions 6-2 - Adirondack Thunder
• Fuel Sell Out Friday Night, Fall To Komets - Indy Fuel
• ECHL Transactions - December 27 - ECHL
• Stingrays Sign Connor Lovie and Malik Johnson - South Carolina Stingrays
• Charles Martin, Trevor Janicke Recalled by Calgary Wranglers - Rapid City Rush
• Wright, McLaughlin, and LaFontaine All Called up to Coachella Valley - Kansas City Mavericks
• Orlando Solar Bears Road Game in South Carolina Rescheduled for February 8, 2025 - Orlando Solar Bears
• Game Day #24 - Adirondack Thunder vs. Lions de Trois-Rivières - Trois-Rivieres Lions
• Americans Host KC on Friends Night - Allen Americans
• Rush Game Notes: December 27, 2024 at Utah Grizzlies - Rapid City Rush
• Grizzlies Gameday: December 27, 2024 - Rapid City at Utah - Utah Grizzlies
• Stingrays Announce February Game Date Change - South Carolina Stingrays
• Wichita Returns to Action Tonight vs. Idaho - Wichita Thunder
• Michael Simpson Recalled to Belleville Senators - Orlando Solar Bears
• Forward Micah Miller Recalled by Hershey Bears - South Carolina Stingrays

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Toledo Walleye Stories

• Walleye Advance to Central Division Finals with Game 4 Win at Indy
• Hawkins Has Four-Point Night in Game 3 Win at Indy
• Toledo Walleye Weekly No. 27: April 21, 2025
• Lewandowski Scores Two In Game 2 Win Against Indy
• Brandon Hawkins Named Back-To-Back Warrior Hockey ECHL MVP