The hunger to raise the Kelly Cup is especially strong when it’s a team’s first.

Such is the case for both the Toledo Walleye and Trois-Rivieres Lions, who are each looking to win their first ECHL championship in franchise history.

Toledo took the first step toward that objective with a 3-1 win in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals in front of a packed house of 8,600 at the Huntington Center. The Walleye grabbed that all-important opening game on home ice.

Toledo scored two of its three goals on the power play, while goaltender Jan Bednar stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced.

“I was just trying to stay calm , just stop the next puck,” Bednar said after the game. “Except for the one in the second period, I did that, so very happy with the win.”

This was the first meeting between the teams since Trois-Rivieres came in to the ECHL in 2021-22. The opening period was a feeling-out process, with each team sizing up the other.

Both had several chances to take the first lead, but each goaltender held his ground and the contest was scoreless after 20 minutes.

Trois-Rivieres went on the power play with 42 seconds left in the opening period. Just after the Walleye killed off the penalty to start the middle frame, the Lions struck.

Tyler Hylland scored following a breakdown in the Toledo defense in front of the net, and Trois-Rivieres grabbed a 1-0 lead at the 1:36 mark. Hylland potted his fifth goal in as many games.

Toledo then went on a power play after Tyler Spezia drew a high-sticking call, and hit pay dirt. After Brandon Hawkins’ initial shot banged off the left post, Trenton Bliss was there to put in the rebound past Lions goalie Luke Cavallin to tie the game 1-1 at 5:39.

After the Walleye went on another power play, Sam Craggs got his fourth goal of the playoffs on a one-timer from the top of the circle for a 2-1 lead.

Bednar, who was stellar all night, kept that lead intact with a series of spectacular saves right after Craggs’ goal as the Lions attempted to answer.

The Walleye had a flurry of their own with just over two minutes left in the period, including a breakaway by Colby Ambrosio. Cavallin, however, kept the score at 2-1 heading into the third period.

The Walleye were a perfect 9-0 when leading after two periods prior to Game 1. The third frame was a tight, defensive struggle, as neither team was willing to let the other light the lamp. Trois-Rivieres had several quality chances but couldn’t get the tying tally.

The Lions pulled Cavallin with less than three minutes left, hoping the extra attacker would be enough to draw even. But Carson Bantle ended any hopes of a tie game with an empty-netter, and Bednar proved to be the difference in a 3-1 victory to grab a 1-0 lead in the series. Teams who took Game 1 of the Kelly and Riley Cup Finals have gone on to win the title 73.5% of the time since the inception of the ECHL.

The game had been physical almost from the outset, but the chippiness ramped up in the final minute. The officials were busy, with several game misconducts and roughing calls handed out. After only one game, the series is already setting up to resemble two gladiators going toe-to-toe.

“We could see what kind of series this is going to be, and it’s gonna be tough,” Toledo head coach Pat Mikesch said. “I thought we got better as the game went on with our 5-on-5 play, (and) a couple of power-play goals to get us going.”

Game 2 is Monday night in Toledo, with puck drop set for 7:15 Pm ET.

Photos Courtesy of the Toledo Walleye