Walleye pick up 4-1 win in Game 3

ESTERO, Fla. – Billy Christopoulos stopped 32 shots and Brandon Hawkins posted three points (2g-1a) to lead the Toledo Walleye to a 4-1 win over the Florida Everblades on Wednesday in Game 3 of the 2022 Kelly Cup Finals in front of 6,149 fans at Hertz Arena. The Everblades lead the series 2 games to 1.

Toledo’s win marks the first time since 2010, and the sixth time in ECHL history, that the visiting team has won each of the first three games of the Riley/Kelly Cup Finals.

Box Score

Toledo opened the scoring 11 minutes into the contest with a power-play goal off of the stick of John Albert, who put the rebound of his initial shot past Florida goaltender Cam Johnson for his ninth goal of the playoffs.

Brandon Hawkins doubled the Walleye lead at 13:25 when he gathered in a pass from Randy Gazzola between the circles and blasted a one-timer past Johnson for his team-leading 14th postseason goal.

The Walleye added to their lead at 18:08 of the second period with a shorthanded tally. Josh Dickinson skated into the Florida end and centered a pass for Marcus Vela who skated in alone on Johnson and notched his fifth goal of the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Hawkins added his second goal of the night into an empty net at 16:13 while Levko Koper notched Florida's lone goal of the night at 17:01 to set the final.

Game 4 of the series is set for Friday at Hertz Arena with the opening face-off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Catch all of the action live by tuning into FloHockey.

2022 Kelly Cup FinalsGame 1 – FLORIDA 3 at Toledo 2Game 2 – FLORIDA 3 at Toledo 1Game 3 – TOLEDO 4 at Florida 1Game 4 – Friday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET at FloridaGame 5 – Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET at FloridaGame 6 – Tuesday, June 14 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Toledo (If Necessary)Game 7 – Thursday, June 16 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Toledo (If Necessary)