Brandon Hawkins found the back of the net in overtime to lift the Toledo Walleye to a Game 1 decision over the Wheeling Nailers. With the win, the Walleye extended their win streak to 19 games, dating back to the regular season.

Toledo Walleye forward Brandon Hawkins continues to show up in clutch moments. The ECHL's most valuable player for the 2023–24 season found the back of the net at the 10:51 mark of the overtime period to lift Toledo over the visiting Wheeling Nailers in Game 1 of the Central Division Finals.

With the win, the Walleye broke the ECHL record for most consecutive wins (19) combining regular season and playoffs, which was previously held by Las Vegas, who won 18 straight in 2007 (13 regular season and 5 playoff).

Toledo netminder John Lethemon picked up his third win of the postseason, turning aside 23 of 24 shots on goal. While he ultimately took the loss, Wheeling netminder Jaxon Castor was equally as good, stopping 33 of 35.

After a scoreless first period, the Nailers broke through less than eight minutes into the middle frame. A 2-on-0 breakaway allowed Jordan Martel to find the back of the net for the fifth time this postseason.

Toledo could not solve Castor through the first 40 minutes, but Mitchell Lewandowski took advantage of a Wheeling turnover in its own zone early in the third period to bury a wrister. The goal marked the forward's second of the playoffs.

The score remained tied at 1-1 through regulation before Hawkins scored on a sharp-angle shot from the right-wing circle in the extra session.

Game 2 between Toledo and Wheeling is set for Saturday.

Highlights

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