Early Scoring Burst Propels Topeka to Win
October 11, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
It only took :22 seconds for the RoadRunners to take a lead in Saturday's game, and they jumped to a 4-0 first period lead before sailing to a 5-2 win over the Odessa Jackalopes.
Tyler Irvine did the honors, starting the scoring with his first tally of the season following up a Tyler Hayes point blast. Willie Brown netted his fifth of the year, making a nice move after racing up the right wing to tuck home the shot at 14:16. With Topeka on a 5 minute major power play, they would score twice on the same advantage to pull ahead 4-0 at the end of the first period. The first was a sharp wrister across the grain by Sam Rennaker, the second a nice finish for Ryan Polin set up smartly by Brown.
In the second period, Odessa picked up the pace, and got on the board when Hampus Sjodahl tucked a shot through the pads of Tomek at 6:25. Tomek was called upon to make a huge stop in the final minute, denying Odessa's leading scorer Kenny Hausinger from the left wing with a glove save. Topeka held a 4-1 lead after two.
In the third, Odessa continued to push, and capitalized on Topeka turnovers. Alex Alger found one such gift on his stick, fired a pass to Sjodahl who tucked it home on the back door to pull the Jackalopes within 2 with 15:01 still to play. Another huge save for Tomek came at 13:27, when he turned aside Leo Lumm on a penalty shot. Mike Gornall would finish things off at 16:00, assisted crisply by Carlos Fornaris and Tyler Irvine for the final 5-2 margin. Tomek finished with 21 saves, improving to 5-1-0 on the year.
Topeka (9-2-0) and Odessa (4-6-0) meet again Sunday at 6:05 pm in Landon Arena. Listen live on Sports Radio 1490 KTOP with play-by-play by Arch Ecker, the PreGame Show beginning at 5:50 pm. Fans can also watch live on FASTHockey.com, or listen via iHeart Radio, a free app available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play. Additionally, fans in the building can listen in at 88.9 FM.
It will be Sunday Funday at Landon Arena tomorrow night! There will be a $3 special on 16oz cans of Natural Light. It will also mark the conclusion of the pink Breast Cancer Awareness jerseys that the Runners have been wearing this weekend. Fans can put in their final bids on the game worn jerseys at the top of section 120 during the game.
After Sunday's game, the RoadRunners embark on a 5 weekend road swing, returning home in late November. Follow the team all season long via Facebook (add link here), Twitter (@topekahockey), and our official website ( topekaroadrunners.com ).
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