'Runners Blank Bandits as Traber Shines
January 7, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Acknowledged by the NAHL as the Brian's Goalie of the Month for December, Peter Traber continued to impress as he posted his franchise record third consecutive shutout with a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Bandits on Friday evening in Landon Arena.
The tight checking game saw each side afforded very few opportunities early as evidenced by the shots on goal which were only 4-2 in favor of Topeka in the first period. The only goal of the period came when Ryan Doucet sprinted out of his defensive zone, firing a crisp pass to James Ring driving up the left wing. Ring got a step on the Bandit defenseman and fired a shot that Spencer Viele kicked aside but right to Gage Hough who was crashing the net from the right side. Hough stuffed it home at 9:31 for his fifth goal of the season and Topeka led 1-0 after 1. Traber made a highlight reel save in the period while on the penalty kill as he lunged to his right and slammed the paddle flat on the ice to deny a wide open scoring opportunity. It was one of only two official saves in the period, but a spectacular one.
Shots on goal picked up in the second period, but the only goal was a shorthanded one, created by the relentless forechecking of Brian Christie who pursued the puck from the neutral zone deep into Bandit territory, forcing a turnover behind the net and centering a pass to Jake Lynes who snapped it high on the glove side for a 2-0 RoadRunner lead at the 2:41 mark. Shots on goal were only 12-9 Topeka after two periods, and Topeka led 2-0. The penalty the 'Runners were killing was a slashing call on Ryan White, who now has 301 career penalty minutes, second only to Aaron Gens (339).
In the third, the Bandits found ways to create more chances, but Traber was equal to the task. The 'Runners went up 3-0 when Jake Lynes picked off a Bandits zone clear attempt, then carried it down the left wing wall before spotting Dan Dupell driving up the middle. Lynes hit Dupell with a perfect pass that he buried with a one-timer at 7:55 low on the glove side. With just over 4:00 minutes to play, St. Louis opted to pull Viele in favor of a sixth skater in an attempt to jump start a comeback, but Ryan White fired a 120-foot snapshot in the abandoned net from his own blue line at 15:59 for a 4-0 lead to seal the victory. Peter Traber turned aside 12 third period shots and 21 in all on the night for his third consecutive shutout, a franchise record. His scoreless streak sits at 180:00 and counting, having surpassed the previous mark of 164:16 held by Bryce Merriam, set in 2008.
Topeka (22-11-2) meets St. Louis (24-7-2) again on Saturday as the 'Runners close out and 8 game homestand, during which they are 6-1-0 so far. Topeka also gained two points on the second place Texas Tornado, who lost at home to Odessa 2-1 in regulation on Friday night.
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2012
- IceRays Beat Amarillo in Shootout - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Tables Turned - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Michigan Warriors Defeat Traverse City 3-2 - Michigan Warriors
- 'Runners Blank Bandits as Traber Shines - Topeka Pilots
- Michigan Warriors Announce John Hamre Named Associate Head Coach - Michigan Warriors
- Wild Win Fourth Straight Game - Wenatchee Wild
- Bulls Score a Record Four Shorthanded Goals in Win - Amarillo Bulls
- Odessa victorious in game one of season-long road trip - Odessa Jackalopes
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