Walleye Defeat Komets 4-1, Keeping Divisional Title Hopes Alive

Toledo goaltender Matt Jurusik makes 28 saves in crucial victory over Central Division rival

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:24am

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting a hockey game, with players and the rink broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes of color, conveying the fast-paced action and competitive spirit of the Central Division rivalry.The Walleye's divisional clash with the Komets is captured in a cubist, geometric style that reflects the intensity and strategic complexity of the high-stakes matchup.Toledo Today

The Toledo Walleye defeated the Fort Wayne Komets 4-1 in a crucial Central Division matchup on Thursday night at the Memorial Coliseum. The Walleye scored three unanswered goals in the first two periods and held off a late Komets push to secure the victory, keeping their hopes of winning the division title alive.

Why it matters

This win is crucial for the Walleye as they continue to battle for the Central Division crown. The Komets are one of their main rivals in the division, so this head-to-head victory gives the Walleye an important edge in the standings with the playoffs approaching.

The details

The Walleye got on the board first with a power-play goal from Tanner Kelly in the first period. Riley McCourt and Brandon Hawkins added goals later in the opening frame to give Toledo a 2-0 lead. Johnny Waldron extended the advantage to 3-0 with a power-play tally in the second period before Alex Aleardi got the Komets on the board late in the middle frame. Sam Craggs scored in the third to make it 4-1 and Toledo's defense, led by goaltender Matt Jurusik's 28 saves, held off Fort Wayne the rest of the way.

  • The Walleye scored the opening goal at 9:47 of the first period.
  • Toledo added a second goal at 16:51 of the first period.
  • Waldron's power-play goal came at 10:15 of the second period.
  • Aleardi scored for Fort Wayne at 18:42 of the second period.
  • Craggs' insurance goal came at 11:20 of the third period.

The players

Matt Jurusik

The Walleye's starting goaltender, who made 28 saves on 29 shots to earn the victory.

Tanner Kelly

A Walleye forward who scored a power-play goal in the first period, his 25th goal and 10th on the power play this season.

Riley McCourt

A Walleye defenseman who scored a goal and added an assist in the win.

Brandon Hawkins

A Walleye forward who recorded an assist on the team's second goal.

Alex Aleardi

A Komets forward who scored Fort Wayne's lone goal in the second period.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us in the division race, and the guys really stepped up and played a complete game. Matt Jurusik was outstanding in net, and our special teams made the difference.”

— Dan Watson, Toledo Walleye Head Coach

What’s next

The Walleye will look to build on this crucial divisional win as they continue their push for the Central Division title. Their next game is on the road against the Indy Fuel on Saturday, April 19th.

The takeaway

This victory keeps the Walleye firmly in the hunt for the Central Division crown, demonstrating their ability to win tough divisional matchups against a rival like the Komets. With strong goaltending, timely scoring, and disciplined defense, Toledo showed it has the tools to make a deep playoff run.