Bonis’ dazzling Game 7 OT winner advances Walleye to second round

By @SKubus –

With the Toledo Walleye’s season hanging in the balance Wednesday night, the team saw a Ferris State alumnus step to the forefront and take control of the situation.

Kyle Bonis almost single-handedly propelled the Walleye into the second round of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, scoring both goals in a 2-1, Game 7 overtime victory. Livonia native Jeff Lerg stopped 31 of 32 in the victory, as well. The Walleye will attempt to avenge the Kalamazoo Wings in round two, as they face a Fort Wayne Komets squad that topped the K-Wings in five games.

The 26-year-old former Bulldog didn’t wait long to strike, either. Just 3:40 into the game, Bonis took a cross-ice feed from Kyle Rogers on the rush in the offensive zone and scooped a low shot past Wheeling Nailers goaltender Eric Hartzell.

After Wheeling’s Zack Torquato knotted things up at 12:37 of the third period, the game needed extra time to determine a victor.

And that’s where Bonis delivered. While on the penalty kill early in overtime, Macomb native and Toledo defenseman Scott Czarnowczan attempted to clear the puck out of the zone up the boards. Bonis managed to poke the puck past defenseman Morgan Ellis at the point and take off down the left wing. As Torquato laid out to take away a potential pass, Bonis toe-dragged around him and wired a quick wrister high on the short side past Hartzell to seal the series win. He also finished the series with three goals and five points.

Watch the game highlights here: