CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Toledo Walleye (9-6-0-1) scored four goals in the first two periods and knocked off the Cincinnati Cyclones (8-4-2-0) by a 4-2 final score in front of 4,855 at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night. The victory was the third straight for the Walleye and gave them the top spot in the North Division standings.

The Cyclones jumped out to an early lead just 5:16 into the first period when defenseman David MacDonald weaved his way through several Walleye defenders before firing a shot off the glove of goaltender Jordan Pierce (W, 4-1-0-0, 35 saves) and into the net for his first goal of the season. Forward Willie Coetzee evened the game up at 1-1 on a shot from the right circle that eluded Cincinnati’s Zoltan Hetenyi (L,1-4-0-0, 21 saves) at the 9:57 mark. Toledo broke the tie when Luke Glendening skated down the right side of the Cyclone zone and slipped a puck past the leg of Hetenyi with 2:26 left in the first, making it 2-1 Walleye. Despite outshooting Toledo 18-9 in the opening stanza, the Cyclones would head to the locker room trailing by a goal at the first intermission.

The Walleye struck two more times in the middle frame. The first lamp-lighter came at 3:31 when Ben Youds batted in his second goal of the season, extending the cushion to 3-1. The second strike came shorthanded after Toledo’s Doug Clarkson was called for slashing; after picking up a turnover, Byron Froese skated toward the Cincinnati goal with no defenders in his way; he was able to deke past Hetenyi with 3:19 left in the second and tally for the fifth time this season. Toledo would hold onto the 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Despite putting ten shots on the Toledo net in the third period, Cincinnati could only muster one more goal; Jonathan Hazen caught a pass from Mike Pelech on the back-door and slammed in his fifth goal of the year at 19:26, making a 4-2 game. Toledo would hold on to win by the same score.

The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:

First Star: Jordan Pearce (35 saves, winning goaltender for Toledo)
Second Star: Luke Glendening (1 goal for Toledo)
Third Star: David MacDonald (1 goal for Cincinnati)

After a day off to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Cyclones and Walleye will reconvene at the Huntington Center on Friday night for a 7:05pm face-off. Fans can hear all the action from Northwest Ohio on the Cyclones Radio Network (CyclonesHockey.com / America One / Cyclones Mobile App) beginning at 6:45pm.

The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena next Wednesday, November 28 when they welcome in the Evansville IceMen at 7:30pm. In addition to $1 PBR and Miller High Life, it will be “Movember Night,” where the Cyclones host Cincinnati’s Largest Mustache Party. The first 2,000 fans through the gates receive a tape-on mustache to get in the spirit, plus cash prizes will be awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Movember! Call 513.421.PUCK or visit CyclonesHockey.com to reserve your seats! Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

Click here for tonight's box score.