Hillegas Blanks Odessa as 'Runners Sweep
Published on October 30, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners ran their win streak to three in a row as they shutout Odessa 3-0 on Saturday night in west Texas.
The first period was a briskly paced one, not unlike the first game of the two game set. The RoadRunners scored first as Andrew O'Leary used his speed to fly down the right wing,.get behind the Jackalopes defense and cut hard to the net where he slid the puck around Connor Hellebuyck at 10:47, set up by James Ring and Kevin Patterson. There was a delayed penalty about to be called against Odessa but O'Leary's goal negated it. The "Runners held a 12-5 shot advantage after 20 minutes. Ben Bahe was involved in his first fight when he was jumped by Tyler Minx.
At the opening faceoff of the second period, Bahe dropped the mitts again, this time with Tyler Poulson and the two traded a flurry of blows. In that second period, it was more than half way through the frame before Odessa even got a shot on goal. Topeka went up 2-0 on a beautiful passing play between Ryan White and Jake Lynes at 8:15, scored by Lynes and also assisted by Dan Dupell. Chris Bond drew a 5:00 minute major and a game ejection at 9:32 when he went after Alex Ostrowski for a hit on Mick Bruce from behind into the end boards. The Runners killed it off, leading 2-0 after 2.
In the third Odessa had chances, including a :55 second 5-on-3 power play that Topeka thwarted. Dan Dupell notched an unassisted tally at 9:15 when his slapshot from the left wing went off the bottom of Hellebuyck's glove into the net for a 3-0 Topeka lead that proved to be the final. The waning moments were not without incident, as Garrett Van Tuyl ran Andrew O'Leary from behind into the corner glass, earning a delayed boarding call, and before the whistle blew, Linus Johansson was dropped to the ice, struck across the back of the head with a forearm. The frustration of the Jackalopes became more evident as the game wore on, but in the end, Topeka prevailed with the weekend sweep and the second shutout of the year for Josh Hillegas who turned aside all 23 shots he faced.
Topeka (10-5-2) remains 2 points behind Amarillo (11-1-2) for first place in the NAHL South. The two rivals square off Sunday afternoon at 6:00 pm at the Amarillo Civic Center. The Bulls won at home Saturday night, a 4-1 win over Wichita Falls.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2011
- Robbie Payne Leads Kalamazoo's Offensive Outburst - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Hillegas Blanks Odessa as 'Runners Sweep - Topeka Pilots
- A Sweet Sweep - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Janesville Jets and Fans Raise $2,500 for the Mercy Foundation - Janesville Jets
- Wild Sweep Ice Dogs: Improve to 4-0 on Road Trip - Wenatchee Wild
- Bulls Best Wildcats 4-1 at Home on Saturday - Amarillo Bulls
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