Black Friday Haunts 'Runners in 3-2 Loss
November 28, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners dominated play for 40 minutes to kick off "Parents Weekend", but surrendered a 2-0 3rd period lead to the visiting Amarillo Bulls, losing 3-2 and ending the 'Runners five game win streak.
Wearing specialty, holiday themed black jerseys to commemorate "Black Friday", the commerce-driven day after Thanksgiving event, the RoadRunners pounced just :27 seconds into the game when Bob Marx sprung Michael Hill with a nice on the right wing. Hill's shot was turned aside and both Ryan White and Justin Hussar got a whack at it before Hill tucked it in for a 1-0 lead that stood through 20 minutes. In the second period, Ryan White blistered a shot past Nikifor Szczerba for a 2-0 lead at 16:54 and Topeka seemed clearly in control, having outshot the Bulls 24-12 and managed periods of continued pressure in the offensive zone.
The third period took a fateful turn when Cody Freeman spun and blindly threw a puck toward the 'Runners net that somehow found its way in, cutting the 'Runners lead in half at 2-1 at 4:44. The goal energized the Bulls and they picked up their pace, knotting the game tying goal at 11:16 when Dan Sherer snapped home a rebound as he drove the net on the right wing. Zack Smoot put Amarillo on top at 15:08 scoring a similar goal on the rebound of a Luke Jenkins shot. The 'Runners pulled Rasmus Tirronen for the extra attacker in the final minute but were unable to tie the game. Amarillo has won all three meetings between the two teams in the regular season.
Topeka (13-6-2) and Amarillo (15-4-1) meet on Saturday to close out the 'Runners 6-game homestand. Game time is set for 7:05 pm, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 pm on countrylegends1069fm.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2010
- Topeka Strikes Back, Beating Bulls 5-4 - Topeka Pilots
- Black Friday Haunts 'Runners in 3-2 Loss - Topeka Pilots
- IceRays Save the Best for Last and Beat Texas, 3-2 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- IceRays Sting Tornado in Overtime, 3-2 - Texas Tornado
- North Stars Sweep Warriors - Michigan Warriors
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