Jordan Davis Shines as 'Runners Sweep
Published on November 15, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners completed a weekend sweep defeating New Mexico 6-3 on Saturday night, powered in part by a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" from forward and alternate captain Jordan Davis, who accomplished the feat in the first period. He also led all players with a plus +2 rating for the evening.
Determined to get off to a better start after surrendering a goal :13 seconds into the game the night before, Topeka took a 1-0 lead when just after a Nate Milam breakaway chance sailed over the crossbar, Jordan Davis retrieved the puck on the left wing wall and slipped a tight pass to Kyle Sharkey who swooped through and buried a backhander high on the glove side at 4:35. As Topeka jammed away at a loose puck at 16:04, Davis was able to tuck it across the line and a brawl ensued, with Davis pounding on New Mexico's Brad Wilhelm. The puck crossing the goal line wasn't readily evident but it turns out the goalie Bryan Jones had it in his glove for a moment though his glove was behind the goal line and that constitutes a goal. The 'Runners had a 2-0 lead and momentum, but New Mexico battled back, first with a Jake Webber shot from the top of the left circle that Rasmus Tirronen was screened on and never saw at 17:19, then with :24 seconds left in the period, a rebound goal was credited to Adam Chapie and despite a strong first period for Topeka, the game was tied 2-2 after one.
In the second period, a pair of 5-on-3 power play goals gave the 'Runners a 4-2 lead. Brian Christie snapped home his third of the weekend, set up nicely by a Nate Milam crossing pass at 3:50, then Ryan White blistered a wrist shot up high on the blocker side at 4:58 assisted by Mason Miller and Jacob Poe. New Mexico pulled back within one when Brad Wilhelm got in behind the 'Runners defense and slid a low shot under the glove hand of Tirronen at 11:23 to make it a 4-3 game, a score the stood at the end of two periods. Topeka had outshot the Mustangs 24-14 but led by just one.
A refined and focused third period effort yielded two more scores as the 'Runners put the game away. At 7:12, Michael Hill tipped home a Bob Marx blast from midpoint on the blue line, and Justin Hussar knocked home a Jordan Davis feed at 18:31 for good measure. However, at the 12:41 mark, when New Mexico's Brad Wilhelm collided with RoadRunner goalie Rasmus Tirronen unnecessarily as he cruised by the net, Wilhelm was assessed two minutes for interference but Tirronen took exception and went after Wilhelm himself, drawing a 5:00 minute fighting penalty and a game ejection. Eric Rohrkemper came on in relief and only saw one shot on goal in the final 7:19 as Topeka posted the 6-3 win.
Topeka (11-5-2) kept pace with Amarillo (12-3-1), staying just one point behind the third place Bulls in the NAHL South, and just 4 points behind second place Wichita Falls with 3 games in hand. Up next, the red-hot Texas Tornado (16-2-3) blow into town riding a 14-game winning streak, coming off a weekend sweep of Corpus Christi at home. Texas won both prior meetings between the clubs when they met in early October. Friday night is College Night featuring $1.00 beers, and Saturday is Youth Hockey Night. Game time each night is 7:05 pm as the 'Runners continue their six game homestand, second longest of the season.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2010
- Hill Commits to UAF - Topeka Pilots
- Wenatchee Wild Series Preview Notes V. Alaska Avalanche - Wenatchee Wild
- Monsters Weekly - Fresno Monsters
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Rays Report #2: Road Trip - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bulls Win 5th in a Row - Amarillo Bulls
- Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jordan Davis Shines as 'Runners Sweep - Topeka Pilots
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.
