
Kestner Scores Hat Trick as Walleye Tame Beast
February 26, 2020 - ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release
BRAMPTON, Ontario - Josh Kestner recorded his first hat trick of the season as the Toledo Walleye rolled to a 6-3 victory over the Brampton Beast on Wednesday at the CAA Centre.
Kestner scored twice during the last half of the third period, and also dished out an assist as part of a four-point performance. Additionally, Shane Berschbach showed a goal and two assists, while Brett Boeing contributed a pair of helpers. At the other end, Filip Larsson turned away 38-of-41 shots, including all 15 he faced during the final frame, to collect second-star honors.
Brampton (30-23-3-0) started the game with a flurry of scoring chances, and was rewarded when former Toledo (32-15-4-1) skater Daniel Leavens found the net 2:46 into the contest. Leavens, who netted four goals in 30 games with the Walleye during the 2018-19 campaign, is in sole possession of the team lead with 26 goals this season.
The Walleye responded with a pair of goals early in the middle frame to capture their first lead of the day. Brenden Kotyk sent the puck through the goal mouth to Berschbach at the right side of the crease for a quick shot into an open net at the 1:27 mark. Toledo jumped ahead moments later, as Berschach centered the puck to Kestner, who unloaded a wrister from the high slot past the catching glove of Alex Dubeau 5:46
After David Vallorani ripped a slapshot from the top of the left circle, the Walleye scored twice in a 2:28 span. Boeing recorded the primary assist on both goals, setting up Abbott Girduckis at the 11:05 to stake the visitors to a 3-2 lead, before Dylan Zink doubled Toledo's advantage 13:33. However, the Beast remained within striking distance as Perry D'Arrisso sliced the lead to 4-3 at the 16:31 mark of the same frame.
Kestner gave the Walleye a much-needed cushion when he guided his breakway attempt past Dubeau to extend the lead to 5-3 with 9:03 remaining in regulation. With the Brampton netminder on the bench for the extra skater, Berschbach unselfishly delivered the puck to Kestner for his team-best 27th goal of the season with 1:10 on the clock.
Toledo finished 0-for-3 on the man adavntage, while Brampton failed to score on a pair of opportunities. Dubeau stopped 19-of-25 shots in a losing cause.
What's Next:
The Walleye return to the Huntington Center for three home games this weekend, beginning on Friday and Saturday with a pair of matchups against Fort Wayne. Both games against the Komets will start at 7:15 p.m.
Three Stars:
1. Toledo - Josh Kestner (hat trick, assist)
2. Toledo - Filip Larsson (W, 38 saves)
3. Brampton - Perry D'Arrisso (goal)
ECHL Stories from February 26, 2020
- IceMen Score Club Record Nine Goals to Claim Wild Win - Jacksonville Icemen
- Swamp Rabbits Soar in Electric Win over Cincinnati - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Cyclones Fall in Midweek Trip Down South - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Dornbrock Scores First Goal with Admirals in Loss to Jacksonville - Norfolk Admirals
- Royals Tie Most-Lopsided Win in Team History, 8-0 - Reading Royals
- Mariners Overpowered by Royals in Reading - Maine Mariners
- My Community Credit Union and Two Rows of Allen Teacher of the Month - Allen Americans
- Rockford Recalls McLaughlin, Assigns Ramsey - Indy Fuel
- Sarah Wallwork of Green Elementary School in Allen, Named February Teacher of the Month - Allen Americans
- Norfolk Admirals Announce New Season Ticket Packages for 2020-21 Season - Norfolk Admirals
- Jacob Doty Returns to Ontario - Allen Americans
- Steelheads Assigned Four, Sign One ahead of Tonight's Game - Idaho Steelheads
- 'Blades Acquire Forward Reid Jackman from Atlanta - Florida Everblades
- Solar Bears Sign J.M. Piotrowski - Orlando Solar Bears
- Thunder Adds Depth to Backend - Wichita Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - February 26 - ECHL
- Oilers Receive Pair from San Diego - Tulsa Oilers
- Rockwood, MacPherson, Bednard Returned to Greenville - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Kestner Scores Hat Trick as Walleye Tame Beast - Toledo Walleye
- Grizzlies Preview: Feb 26, 2020 Utah at Idaho - Utah Grizzlies
- Rays and Shine - Glads Top SC as Point Streak Reaches Five - Atlanta Gladiators
- Rays Fall to Atlanta on Education Day - South Carolina Stingrays
- Diaper Drive at March 14 Game Will Benefit Mary's Shelter - Reading Royals
- Game Preview: Admirals at IceMen, February 26, 2020 - Jacksonville Icemen
- Cyclones Game Preview: vs. Greenville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Walleye: Bring on the Komets - Toledo Walleye
- McDonald & Mills Return to Grizzlies Roster - Utah Grizzlies
- Florida Everblades Looking to Sign David Ayres as Emergency Zamboni Driver - Florida Everblades
- Willman Returned on Loan, Royals Host Maine Tonight - Reading Royals
- Gladiators sign Swenson, trade Jackman, and Conway recalled - Atlanta Gladiators
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
- Score Helmets, Sticks, and More at Our Equipment Sale: Saturday, July 12
- Walleye Achieve Another Record-Setting Season
- Thank You, Fans Joinus for Our End of Season Event on Tuesday, June 10
- Dominant Offensive Effort Ends in Game 5 Loss to Lions
- Hawkins Scores in Game 4 Loss to Trois-Rivières

