'Runners Bounce Back to Top Texas
Published on January 25, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners got off to a quick start and held off a late Tornado push to earn a weekend split, winning 3-2 on Saturday night in Landon Arena in front of the largest home crowd of the year (3,487).
Topeka got on the board on the first minute of the game. Brian Christie won an offensive zone draw and Ben Bahe pushed it back to Mick Bruce who fired a shot toward the net that deflected in off the skate of a Tornado defender just :48 seconds into the contest. It was the only goal of the period, and Topeka outshot Texas 12-8.
In the second period, Texas tied it up at 13:35. Defenseman Kevin Patterson was doing a good job tying up the advancing Jordan Greenberg but as Patterson forced Greenberg away from the puck, CJ Reuschlein swooped in and fired a quick shot past Peter Traber from close range to knot the game at 1-1. The following faceoff spawned the games only fight, and Richard Young mixed it up with Mico Solorzano in a solid tilt. Topeka retook the lead at 18:18 as Andrew O'Leary made a slick move in the neutral zone to create a 3-on-1 rush. O'Leary passed to James Ring on the right wing who snapped it back across to Sean Gaffney for the onetimer that put the 'Runners up 2-1, a lead that stood at the end of two periods.
After being victimized twice in three penalty kills the previous night, Topeka found themselves shorthanded again early in the third period, but this time it was the 'Runners who took advantage. After a rink long clear by Kevin Patterson, Tornado goalie Joakim Jutras misplayed the puck behind the net and Dan Dupell was there to throw it out front. The puck appeared to cross the line as a Texas defenseman tried to sweep it away, but it was irrelevant as Dupell fired it home anyway and Topeka led 3-1 at the 17:00 mark of the third. Late in the period, and with Topeka down a man due to a bench minor, Texas pulled Jutras for the extra skater and it paid off as Jordan Lovick backhanded a loose puck from the mad scramble in front of the 'Runners net with 1:47 left to play. Texas again pulled Jutras but were unable to tie the game and Topeka posted the 3-2 win.
Topeka (26-12-2) continues their homestand when New Mexico (12-25-2) makes their only visit of the year to Kansas. The games will be played Friday and Saturday at 7:05.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2012
- Ermakov Dealt to Green Mountain Glades (EJHL) - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Abood, Vetter, Pauly, Lewis Tapped for Top Prospects Tournament - Wenatchee Wild
- 'Runners Bounce Back to Top Texas - Topeka Pilots
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
