RoadRunners Hold off Jr. Blues
November 28, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
RoadRunners coach Scott Langer has talked all season about minimizing goals in the last five minutes of a period.
It was Topeka which scored the late-period goals Friday.
Trailing by one late in the second period, Topeka scored two goals in just over a minute and played stingy defense in the third period, winning 2-1 at Landon Arena.
"Ours just kept fighting and making more plays," Langer said. "It's certainly not easy for Springfield, because they have to sit in the locker room and think about giving up a lead."
Forward Quinn Preston had the game-winner for Topeka, getting his stick on a puck in mid-air, tapping it by goaltender Tommy Nappier.
"I just saw the puck go up, and I knew as it came down below the crossbar, if I got a good enough swing at it, it'd go in, and it did," Preston said.
A conservative first period told the early story, with each team waiting patiently for the other to make a miscue.
Despite several sloppy defensive zone turnovers by Topeka, the Jr. Blues couldn't convert, and the teams entered the locker room scoreless.
Goaltender Juho Niku got his first home action as a RoadRunner goalie in the game, stopping 13 of 14 shots.
The Jr. Blues broke the tie early in the second frame at the 4:35 mark. A wrist shot from forward Sam Craggs fooled Niku, beating him low glove-side to make it 1-0.
Topeka controlled possession in the second period following the Jr. Blues' goal, but Nappier held the Runners scoreless most of the frame, keeping rebounds to a minimum.
The RoadRunners' offensive prowess finally came to fruition late in the second period at 18:14.
A slick pass from behind the net hit forward Dominic Lutz in stride, as he slipped a shot past Nappier to knot the game.
"That was a great play by Lutz there, and it really got us going," Langer said.
The momentum of the goal propelled Topeka to a lead before intermission. Just over a minute later, at 19:24, Preston scored his fifth goal of the season, making it 2-1 Topeka.
Forward Sami Tavernier had an assist on Preston's goal, giving him a point in his first game with Topeka.
After several big hits on the Jr. Blues, Springfield and Topeka got heated at 12:38 of the third period. On the play, Springfield defenseman Anthony Scarsella received a game misconduct and an extra two-minutes for fight instigation of Tavernier, who ended the game only a goal away from a Gordie Howe hat trick.
The two teams tangle again at 7:05 p.m. Saturday to finish the two-game series.
Springfield (13-7-2) 0 1 1 - 1
Topeka (14-11-0) 0 2 0 - 2
First period - No scoring.
Second period - 1. Springfield, Craggs (Skinner), 4:35. 1. Topeka, Lutz (Strong, Jennings), 18:14. 2. Topeka, Preston (Tavernier), 19:24.
Third period - No scoring.
Shots on goal - Springfield 8-1-5 - 14. Topeka 7-20-12 - 39.
Goalies: Springfield, Nappier. Topeka, Niku.
Attendance - 570
Stars of the game - First star: Dominic Lutz. Second star: Quinn Preston. Third star: Matt Jennings.
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2015
- Lynch Nets Hat Trick in 8-2 Victory over Rebels - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Cats Skate to Sixth Straight Win Saturday - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Game at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Postponed - New Jersey Titans
- Hawks Top Rebels 4-3 - Philadelphia Rebels
- RoadRunners Hold off Jr. Blues - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls Fall to Brahmas 2-0 - Amarillo Bulls
- Knights Thwart Titans' Comeback Efforts - New Jersey Titans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
