Nate Milam Erupts as 'Runners Torch 'Cats
Published on March 12, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Wichita Falls Wildcats used a behind-the-back video submission to petition the league to suspend RoadRunner captain Michael Hill for a penalty he received the prior Thursday night in Topeka. They may have been better served to find something on Nate Milam who exploded for 4 points including a hat trick as Topeka completed the season sweep of the Wildcats with a 4-2 win on Friday night at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, TX, confirming the old adage that reads "There's more than one way to skin a 'Cat."
The RoadRunners dominated the first period, outshooting the Wildcats 15-7 and outchancing them 11-1, but the scoreboard still had zeros on each side after 20 minutes of play. Topeka took a 1-0 lead at 9:30 of the second period on a pretty pass from Brian Christie from the left wing wall across the top of the crease to Nate Milam who plastered it upstairs for his 21st of the year. Wichita Falls tied it up shortly after as Keil Zornow jammed home a loose puck with traffic surrounding the RoadRunner net. The games momentum shifted and the Wildcats pressured but couldn't score again as the period ended with the teams tied at 1-1.
An early third period Topeka penalty afforded Wichita Falls a power play that they cashed in to take a 2-1 lead, as Drew Allen got the shot off on a sharp passing play at 1:37 to take a 2-1 lead. The 'Runners maintained composure, tying the game at 2-2 at 2:38 of the third when Justin Hussar carried the puck through the neutral zone, dished to Brian Christie who in turn backhanded the puck to Nate Milam, driving the slot for the one-timer down low to tie the game at 2-2. The 'Runners took a 3-2 lead at 4:16 when Christie tossed a pass from behind the goal line against the grain to Hussar who buried his 31st of the season, a RoadRunner rookie record. Nate Milam registered an assist on the play, and then at 8:57 scored his way into the RoadRunners record book. Jacob Poe picked the puck off the right wing boards on the penalty kill then snapped a pass ahead to Milam who raced around the Wildcat defender to bury a shorthanded backhander for the hat trick and a 4-2 lead. For Milam, the goal was his sixth shorthanded goal of the year and eighth of his career, both surpassing the records formerly held by captain Matt Hartmann. Wichita Falls pulled their goalie for the extra attacker with 2:35 to play, and Topeka goalie Rasmus Tirronen attempted a shot at the empty net that was gloved down at center ice as Topeka completed the season sweep of the Wildcats at 7-0-0.
Topeka (40-9-3) departed Wichita Falls immediately after the game for Amarillo where they will face the second place Bulls (34-11-5) in a huge two game set on Saturday (7:05 pm) and Sunday (6:00 pm). Both games will be webcast through countrylegends1069.com, available for pay-per-view with FASTHockey.com.
ROADRUNNER RAMBLINGS
The RoadRunners have scored 13 shorthanded goals, one shy of the franchise record.
Captain Michael Hill sat out a league imposed suspension on Friday and will return to the ice Saturday night.
Brian Christie and Nate Milam both led the way with 4 points each and a combined +8.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2011
- Bulls Fall to Topeka 7-4 - Amarillo Bulls
- Bobcats Overpower Bruins 3-1 - Bismarck Bobcats
- Archers strike back, 3-1 - Traverse City North Stars
- Nate Milam Erupts as 'Runners Torch 'Cats - Topeka Pilots
- Tornado Edged in Shootout by 'Cats, 4-3 - Texas Tornado
- Bulls Host Topeka In First Of Big Weekend Showdown - Amarillo Bulls
- Wild Knock off Ice Dogs in Shootout, 2-1 - Wenatchee Wild
- Bulls Roll Along, Beat Stangs 3-1 - Amarillo Bulls
- Tornado win wild South shootout, 7-6 - Texas Tornado
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