Pilots Drop Friday Night Affair with Brahmas
December 21, 2019 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Facing the top team in the NAHL South Division, the Topeka Pilots could not solve the Lone Star Brahmas goaltending Friday night.
In a hard-fought contest against the Brahmas, Topeka (19-10-2) had its chances against a stout defense, but they could not find a breakthrough, falling 2-0 at the NYTEX Sports Centre.
The Pilots and Brahmas played a clean game, with only five combined penalties between the two sides. Neither team converted on a powerplay opportunity.
The game-winning goal came at 14:18 of the first period, off the stick of defenseman Patriks Ozols, his third of the season. Firing a shot from the point through a screen of players, the shot eluded goaltender Guy Blessing, beating him high on the blocker side.
Lone Star (24-8-1) took the 1-0 lead into the locker room, as the teams only registered seven total shots on goal in the opening frame, with Lone Star outshooting Topeka 5-2.
In the second, Lone Star forward Thomas Daskas extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal at 16:36. After Blessing made an initial save, Daskas got his own rebound and knocked it home.
In the final 20 minutes, Topeka had an advantage in shots on goal, outshooting the Brahmas 13-5, but they could not solve goaltender Ludvig Persson, who earned his sixth shutout of the season, lowering his goals against average to 1.56 on the season.
Before a short holiday break, the Pilots and Brahmas will face off one more on at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night, with Topeka looking to earn the series split.
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