For the first time this season, the Toledo Walleye found themselves on the right side of a three-game win streak as they defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones 6-3. The home win Sunday afternoon at the Huntington Center also leap-frogged the team from the basement of the division into third place.
Much of the scoring in the game came in short bursts including two quick goals within the first 3:05 of the game. For the Walleye, the first five goals each had something else in common, they all came from the same offensive line. The combination of Harrison Reed, Evan Rankin and Adam Estoclet, which also saw success against Reading Saturday night, were on the ice for all five scores.
According to Walleye head coach Nick Vitucci, one key to that line's success is fan-favorite Evan Rankin. The third-year Walleye skater leads the team in both goals, at 10, and points, at 18, plus is tied for the lead in assists with eight.
"Think about it here for a second," Vitucci said after the game. "Year one, Adam Hobson, Maxime Tanguay and Evan Rankin, last year, Andy Bohmbach, Mike Hedden and Evan Rankin, this year, Evan Rankin again on another line that's producing. That says a lot about him."
Rankin opened the scoring with a quick tally just 2:28 into the first period then scored again just 37 seconds into the third period. Like his linemates, Rankin was a plus-three on the evening and led the game with seven shots. Estoclet had the game-winning goal late in the second while the offensive line set up Toledo's second goal, also in the second, added by defenseman Simon Danis-Pepin.
Others who added goals during the game for the Walleye included defenseman Bryan Rufenach, who extended his points streak to seven, and new addition Joey Martin, who got his first in a Walleye sweater after Cincinnati attempted to pull goaltender Chet Pickard.
For Toledo, Carter Hutton was again stellar in goal, stopping 33 of the 36 shots sent his direction. After the win in his eighth-consecutive start on Sunday, Hutton now is 5-5 this season with a .887 save percentage and 3.51 goals-against average.
Providing Thomas McCollum is not returned from the Grand Rapids Griffins this week, Hutton could likely see more action as the Walleye continue their home stretch. They host the Florida Everblades on Wednesday then return two days later on Black Friday to play the Cyclones once again.
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