TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo Walleye used a strong third period to pull away from the Indy Fuel, earning a 5-2 victory in Game 2 of the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and taking a 2-0 series lead.

The game started with high energy from both sides, but it was Toledo’s Mitchell Lewandowski who opened the scoring early in the first period. Jalen Smereck added another for the Walleye midway through the frame, giving the home team a 2-0 lead after one.

Indy responded in the second with a redirection goal by Matus Spodniak, but Toledo’s Trenton Bliss quickly answered. The Fuel kept battling, and rookie Ethan Manderville netted his first playoff goal to bring Indy back within one. Toledo led 3-2 heading into the third.

After a relatively quiet start to the final period, a flurry of penalties led to a Walleye power play, and Lewandowski capitalized with his second goal of the night. The Fuel’s hopes for a comeback were dashed when Brandon Hawkins scored with just under three minutes left, capping off a four-point performance.

The series now shifts to the Fishers Event Center, where the Fuel will look to stay alive in front of their home crowd Monday in Game 3.