Power-Play Goals Doom RoadRunners in 4-1 Loss
October 21, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
An untimely penalty and a potent power play cost the Topeka RoadRunners in a big way Saturday.
Down 1-0 late in the second period, Topeka defenseman Tyler Hayes received a five minute major penalty for head contact with Springfield forward Anthony Mangano.
Springfield (7-3-1) took full advantage, scoring three power-play goals early in the final frame to down Topeka 4-1 at Landon Arena. With the loss, Topeka (7-7-0) earned a series split with Springfield, after winning 5-0 Friday.
"We took a very unfortunate penalty there late in the second period, and it cost us the game," RoadRunners coach Scott Langer said.
Forward Trevor Stone scored his first of two power-play goals at 1:08 of the third period to make it a two-goal lead for Springfield.
With 1:16 still remaining in Hayes' penalty, Stone made it 3-0.
Still on the man advantage, defenseman Kyle Meeh knocked home a loose rebound past goaltender Tyler Johnson shortly thereafter, giving the Jr. Blues a commanding 4-0 advantage.
All four Jr. Blues goals were on the power play, as Springfield went 4 for 5 with the man advantage.
"When you're killing long penalties like that, it kills your energy level," Langer said. "Last night, we did a lot of things right. Tonight, it was the complete opposite.
Forward Matt Jennings broke the shutout for goaltender Niko Della Maggorie with a power-play goal at the 9:40 mark, but it was too little too late for Topeka.
"You've got to give yourself a chance to sweep a series like this, and we did not," Langer said.
Springfield capitalized early to open the scoring.
Forward Petr Kuznetsov fired in a power-play goal at 6:48 of the first, making it 1-0 Springfield.
The Jr. Blues narrowly missed a 2-0 lead just over a minute later, with a shot clanking off the crossbar.
Topeka's first power play of the night garnished several good chances, including a shot from the doorstep by forward JB Baker, but Maggorie kept the Runners off the board.
The second period brought more balanced hockey, with Springfield looking to extend its lead and Topeka looking to find an equalizer.
While the second period did not bring a goal, it did bring the game-changing moment late in the frame, with Hayes penalty at 18:55.
Topeka now hits the road to face the Ice Rays on Oct. 22 and 24 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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