Overtime Win Salvages Weekend Split
Published on October 26, 2015 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Action in Front of Topeka RoadRunners Goal
(Topeka Pilots)
A week ago, I used the headline "WEEKEND SPLIT KEEPS TOPEKA at .500", and 1,800 bus miles later, the same words apply after the Topeka RoadRunners split a two-game series in Corpus Christi over the weekend.
The games were separated by a Friday concert in the American Bank Center, so the weekend began on Thursdayevening with the Ice Rays sporting "Pink in the Rink" jerseys and the 'Runners decked out in their home whites. Topeka had grown quite comfortable in the American Bank Center over the years, sporting a 10-0-1 record all time in that building. The RoadRunners brought a solid effort and sustained pressure, but the Ice Rays got on the board first, holding a 1-0 lead after 1, despite being outshot 11-6. Corpus Christi doubled their lead in the second period despite an even more aggressive push from the 'Runners. Topeka battled back to even the score before the end of the second frame on goals from Marcus Russell and Dominic Lutz, and through two periods were outshooting the Rays 30-13. In the third period, Topeka again brought solid pressure but two  Ice Rays tallies set the 'Runners in a hole, and despite a late power play extra attacker goal from John O'Connor, Topeka endured their first ever regulation loss in Corpus Christi, 4-3 despite outshooting the home squad 45-20.
After the day off Friday, the teams dug back in on Saturday, with Corpus Christi seeking their first ever sweep of Topeka. The RoadRunners scored first, though, as Carlos Fornaris knocked home a rebound and Topeka led 1-0 after 1. Both goaltenders, Vladimir Cibulka for Topeka and Graham Hunt for Corpus Christi battled behind stingy defensive play and the slim 1-0 lead for the 'Runners lasted until only 1:02 left showing on the game clock in the third period when the 'Rays ripped home a power play, extra attacker goal to send the game to overtime. In the extra session, Topeka cranked up the pressure, outshooting Corpus Christi 6-1, the final shot coming off the stick of Marcus Russell with :32 seconds left for the 2-1 Topeka win.
Topeka (8-8-0) will load up the bus again this coming weekend for a much shorter trip as they head to Springfield, IL to face the Jr. Blues (9-3-1) who have won three in a row, are 4-0-0 at home, and are coming off a weekend home sweep of the Janesville Jets. Topeka and Springfield split a pair of games in Topeka earlier this month, and will face each other 4 of the next 5 weekends.
Images from this story
 Action in Front of Topeka RoadRunners Goal |
North American Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2015
- DeSimone Named East Division Star of the Week - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Amarillo Bulls Weekly - Amarillo Bulls
- Niko Della Maggorie Named Midwest Division Star of the Week - Springfield Jr. Blues
- NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week - NAHL
- RoadRunner Coaches Show Dates Released - Topeka Pilots
- Overtime Win Salvages Weekend Split - Topeka Pilots
- IceRays Weekly - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Peter Thome Commits to D1 UND - Aberdeen Wings
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