Walleye Come up Short as Cincinnati Scores Late in 4-3 Saturday Night Loss
Published on February 14, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release
Toledo, OH - The Toledo Walleye fell tonight to the Cincinnati Cyclones by a score of 4-3 at the Huntington Center. Johnny Waldron scored the first goal of the night, his 4th point in as many games with the Walleye. Tanner Kelly and Nate Roy both scored as well, and Brandon Kruse had an assist in his first game back this season.
How it Happened:
Cincinnati got the scoring started quickly with a goal from Nick Rhéaume just 10 seconds into the first period, his 10th of the season to put the Cyclones up 1-0. The Walleye bounced back, though, as Johnny Waldron scored his third goal with the Walleye at the 9:17 mark of the first, tying the game at one goal each. Tanner Dickinson and Colin Swoyer got assists on the goal.
Cincinnati got their lead back less than three minutes later, as Sam Stevens scored his second goal in as many days to put the Cyclones back up 2-1 over the Walleye. Tanner Kelly got it back in less than two minutes, scoring his 15th goal of the season. Brandon Kruse and Sam Craggs got the assists on the goal at the 14:31 mark of the first period, resulting in a 2-2 tie.
Aaron Chiarot was called for a cross-check in the Cincinnati end, giving Toledo their first chance on the power play for the day 16:29 into the first. The Cyclones were able to kill the penalty, but took another 45 seconds later for a high stick by Jake Johnson. 1:14 of the penalty remained as the teams took the 2-2 tie into the second period.
Denis Smirnov was called for Toledo's first penalty of the game for a high stick 2:44 into the second period. The Walleye killed off the penalty and Smirnov had a solid scoring chance as he came out of the box, but couldn't convert on it.
Cincinnati broke the ice in the second period, scoring at the 13:17 mark of the second. Ryan Kirwan scored the goal, his 17th of the season, to put Cincinnati up 3-2 after sustained pressure. Toledo had a near-immediate response, as Nate Roy scored his 9th goal of the season on a breakaway 14:32 into the second. Colby Ambrosio got the lone assist on the goal that brought the game back to a 3-3 tie.
Justin Portillo took a cross-checking call for Cincinnati, putting Toledo on their third power play of the day. The penalty was killed off by Cincinnati, and the 3-3 tie would carry on into the third period.
Colin Swoyer and Sam Stevens each got coincidental roughing minors, leading to two minutes of 4-on-4 hockey 5:25 into the third period. Neither team scored before the penalties expired. Will MacKinnon took an interference minor with 8:38 to go in the period, giving Cincinnati a power play chance at a crucial point in the game. Toledo killed it off, maintaining momentum in the tied game.
Nick Rhéaume scored his second goal of the night to take the lead for Cincinnati with four minutes to go in regulation, taking the wind out of Toledo's sails. The Walleye pulled Matt Jurusik with 2:30 to go in regulation, looking to respond to a Cincinnati goal for the fourth time tonight. They fell just short though as the 4-3 score held to be final. Both teams were scoreless on special teams (Toledo was 0-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill), outshooting Cincinnati 30-26.
Local 245 Three Stars:
1 - F Nick Rhéaume, CIN (2 G, 1 A, GWG)
2 - F Sam Stevens, CIN (1 G, 3 A)
3 - F Ryan Kirwan, CIN (1 G, 1 A)
What's Next:
The Walleye will finish off the weekend with a matchup against the Fort Wayne Komets, looking to maintain the Central Division lead over a Komets team that only trails by one point. Puck drop for the Sunday evening matchup at the Huntington Center is set for 5:15 PM.
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