Riley Sawchuk added two more goals to his ECHL-leading total in the Toledo Walleye's Game 3 win against the Kansas City Mavericks on Monday. Takeaways from the game.
The Toledo Walleye salvaged a win on home ice in Game 3 of the ECHL Western Conference Finals with a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Mavericks on Monday night. With the victory, the Walleye avoided falling behind 3-0 in the series. Instead, Toledo will have a chance to even the series in Kansas City on Friday night.
The Walleye outshot the Mavericks 30-28 and scored three times in the second period. Goaltender John Lethemon made 25 saves and picked up his fifth postseason win.
Meanwhile, Toledo opened the scoring on Riley Sawchuk's first of two goals with 1:20 left in the first period. The Mavericks and Walleye combined for five goals in the middle frame, with Nate Knoepke scoring twice for Kansas City. Michael Prapavessis, Conlan Keenan, and Sawchuk found the back of the net for the Walleye in the period.
Nolan Walker made it a one-goal game for the Mavericks early in the third period, but the Walleye held on in a frantic finish.
Here are five takeaways from Monday's win:
Sawchuk Stays Hot
The Walleye rookie forward continues to shine in the postseason, recording two more goals on four shots on Monday night. Sawchuk leads all skaters in the ECHL Playoffs with ten goals and has three multi-goal efforts thus far.
Lethemon Locks It Down
John Lethemon allowed three goals for the third consecutive game, but it could have been much more. Kansas City threw everything they had at the Toledo goaltender, registering 11 shots in the third period. Lethemon made a series of frantic saves just before the final horn.
Overturned Twice
Toledo could have made the score look more lopsided if not for two overturned goals. Sam Craggs' attempted bank shot late in the first period was behind Kansas City goaltender Cale Morris. The puck eventually crossed the line, but not before the play was whistled dead. Then, Sawchuk scored on the empty net in what would have completed the hat trick. However, Brandon Hawkins played the puck with a high stick moments before the goal.
Hawkins' Health
Speaking of Hawkins, the ECHL MVP for the 2023-24 season was hunched over in obvious pain with under ten seconds left in regulation. Hawkins walked -- or crawled -- down the tunnel, so his immediate health for Game 4 could be of concern.
Series Heads West
Toledo salvaged a win at home to make it a 2-1 series. The Walleye will have to attempt to win the series on the road, where they have gone 4-0 in the playoffs. Kansas City is 3-1 on home ice in the postseason with a small margin of error, outscoring their opponents 13-9 at Cable Dahmer Arena.