Oh Snap! 'Runners End Tornado Streak
Published on November 21, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
When the Texas Tornado won a pair of games over the Topeka RoadRunners home opening weekend, it propelled them to a 15-game win streak that abruptly ended in the same building it started as Topeka posted a 5-3 win on Friday night in Landon Arena.
The RoadRunners came out flying with a barrage of body checks and consistent pressure, but after being thwarted on a 5-on-3 power play chance in the first period, surrender a pair of power play goals to Texas. The first came at 9:26 with J.D. Howard finishing off a Donald Olivieri wraparound and the second was scored by Olivieri after a Rock Einersen faceoff in the left wing circle on a shot that deflected off a 'Runners player at 12:09. Outshot 9-4 in the first period, Texas escaped with a 2-0 lead.
In the second period, the momentum swung Topeka's way. Andrew O'Leary and Trevor Campbell fashioned a nice rush through the neutral zone, ending with a nice pass to Nate Milam who snapped it high glove side at 2:16. The 'Runners tied the game when Justin Hussar tucked in a nice crossing pass assisted by Campbell and Michael Hill at 11:01, and then with the Tornado goalie losing his stick behind the goal and playing with a forwards stick while the 'Runners swarmed around him, Ryan White dished a pretty pass in front for Hill who rifled it home for Topeka's first lead of the game at 13:58.
Fully aware that Texas had just overcome a third period one goal deficit 48 hours prior in their 5-4 win at Wichita Falls, the 'Runners kept their foot on the gas. Nate Milam fed a perfect pass to Jordan Davis headed right up the middle of the ice and Davis blasted it home through the pads of Texas netminder Jimmy Kruger for a 4-2 lead and some breathing room at 4:37. Topeka surrendered a third power play goal at 6:49 as Rock Einersen's shot was tipped by Jack Prince to pull Texas back to within a goal at 4-3. The RoadRunners pulled ahead to a two goal lead at 13:08 when Justin Hussar punched in a loose puck in the crease area for a 5-3 lead that ended up being the final score. Goalie Eric Rohrkemper improved to 4-2-2 while Jimmy Kruger suffered his first loss of the season.
Topeka (12-5-2) now owns the leagues longest current win streak at 4 games. They will face Texas (17-3-3) on Saturday night for the final time in Topeka this season. The teams meet twice for a total of four games in Frisco,TX in December and again in February. Topeka is 1-1-1 vs Texas this season.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2010
- Stars Rout St. Louis, Take Series - Traverse City North Stars
- Wild Bows In Shootout - Wenatchee Wild
- Red Hot 'Runners Make It Five Straight - Topeka Pilots
- Oh Snap! 'Runners End Tornado Streak - Topeka Pilots
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