Pilots Can't Keep Pace with IceDogs, Fall 4-1
February 10, 2019 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The first and second periods fared much better for the Topeka Pilots on Saturday, after a rough outing on Friday night in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Topeka (17-21-5) still wound up playing from behind, however, trailing 1-0 after two periods and getting outscored 3-1 in the third, en route to falling 4-1 to the Ice Dogs at Big Dipper Ice Arena.
With the loss, the Pilots remain in fifth place in the NAHL South Division, four points behind the fourth-place Corpus Christi IceRays.
After mustering a combined eight shots on goal through the first 40 minutes of Friday's contest, Topeka came out ready on Saturday, outshooting the IceDogs 11-8 in the first period and generating several quality scoring chances.
With a solid second period by the IceDogs garnering 18 shots on goal, Fairbanks broke the scoreless tie at 11:13 of the frame. Forward Jax Murray, took a nice across-ice feed while on the powerplay and redirected the pass past goaltender Emil Gransoe, giving Fairbanks a powerplay goal and a 1-0 lead. Fairbanks ended the night 1-for-6 on the man-advantage.
Fairbanks held its slim lead heading into the third period. Forward Luke Ciolli doubled the lead at 7:40, beating Gransoe on a quick wrist shot from near the left faceoff circle.
Forward Christian Thomas got the Pilots on the board and cut the Fairbanks lead in half at 9:24 of the third, deflecting a shot from forward Quinn Green, and beating goaltender Mattias Sholl. Thomas's goal was his first of the season and was scored while on the powerplay, as the Pilots went 1-for-4 for the evening.
Ciolli capitalized on a rebound and pushed it back to a two-goal deficit, beating Gransoe at 13:02 and putting the Pilots on their heels again.
Forward Tyler Deweese finished off the scoring for Fairbanks, taking advantage of a turnover and ripping a one-timer into the back of the net.
Now heading back to the lower 48 states, the Pilots resume action on Feb. 15-16, heading to North Richland Hills, Texas to face the Lone Star Brahmas for a two-game series.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2019
- Black Bears Lose Wild Sunday Game to Tomahawks - Maryland Black Bears
- Briere Nets Four Goals in 7-5 Victory over Maryland - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Pilots Can't Keep Pace with IceDogs, Fall 4-1 - Topeka Pilots
- Titans Swept by the Rebels - New Jersey Titans
- Wings Win on the Road - Aberdeen Wings
- IceRays Close Alaska Trip with 5-1 Win at Brown Bears - Corpus Christi IceRays
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