Runners Close Out Regular Season With 4-1 Win
March 30, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
(WICHITA FALLS, TX) - Topeka knocked off the reeling Wichita Falls Wildcats on Saturday night in Texas to close out a near perfect month of March that saw the 'Runners go 9-0-1.
After the emotional high of clinching the NAHL South Division Regular Season title the night before, the 'Runners had a meaningless stop in Wichita Falls on the way home. The Wildcats had come into Topeka in mid-March riding an 11-game win streak, but after being swept by Topeka in three straight, they've yet to win again, now having dropped 6 in a row to close out their season before heading to Fairbanks to begin the playoffs. Additionally, the 'Cats had won four of the first five meetings with Topeka, but the 'Runners end up taking the last 5 to end up 6-4-0 vs Wichita Falls this season.
After a scoreless first period, Topeka finally scored on the power play in the second period when Josh Kamrass knocked in a Dennis Brown pass for the 1-0 lead, and Eriah Hayes followed by taking a nice feed from Jordan George, following his own rebound for a 2-0 lead at 9:35 of the 2nd. Wichita Falls tied it up when two 'Cats came barreling in on Lyle Rocker and the puck popped over Rocker's leg pad to make it a 2-1 game, but :12 seconds later Eriah Hayes would once again beat Jarboe, set up nicely by Bryon Paulazzo for a 3-1 Topeka lead. Hayes added an empty netter in the third period with just under a minute to play, completing his 3rd hat trick of the season, and marking his 30th goal of the year, tying him with Corey Jendras for the team lead. Lyle Rocker finishes the regular season with some impressive numbers, including a 2.09 GAA and a nearly perfect 13-0-1 record.
Topeka begins its playoff run Saturday night at 7:05 in the Kansas Expocentre as the 'Runners take on the Texas Tornado. Game 2 is Sunday at 5:05 pm.
ROADRUNNER REVIEW: Defenseman Aaron Gens sat out the weekend, serving a 2-game league imposed suspension for events that transpired during the March 15 game against Wichita Falls. He spent his nights off providing color commentary on the radio broadcast.
Forward Josh Kamrass recorded 45 assists this season, which would have been a franchise record (topping Brandon Johnson's 39 assists) but defenseman Aaron Gens posted 46 this season to claim the record. Corey Jendras also posted 39 assists this season.
This is the first season the NAHL has officially tracked +/- (plus/minus) stats, but the +41 rating posted by Aaron Gens is a league record.
Eriah Hayes' three hat tricks ties the franchise record, set in 2006-07 by Tibor Kutalek.
Topeka led the league in power play goals with 88, eclisping last seasons total of 76.
Topeka's 14 short handed goals is tied for most in the league. It is also a franchise high, shattering the old mark of 9. Matt Hartmann led the team with 5, most in the NAHL this season and passing the franchise mark of 4 SHG set by Tibor Kutalek.
Corey Jendras finished tied for the league lead in power play goals with 17. This ties the franchise mark set by Corey Stark in 2005-06.
Topeka had the most goals in a single game this year of any NAHL team when they popped in 11 at Alaska on Feb.20. The franchise mark is 12, also set in Alaska on March 29, 2007.
Topeka ranked second in the league in both power play (20.2%) and penalty kill (88.2%), but combined (108.4%) they have the most efficient special teams package in the NAHL.
SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT: With Game 1 of the playoffs coming on Saturday, the 'Runners have to feel good about their chances. Topeka's record on Saturday games this year is 19-3-5. The 'Runners home record (at Landon Arena, not counting Showcase games) is 22-4-1. And better yet, at home on Saturdays, Topeka is an impressive 10-1-0.
Though the Texas Tornado have been a force in the NAHL for years, the 'Runners have evened out the scales against their longtime foes.
The 'Runners all-time record against Texas is now 20-20-5 overall. (10-10-3 at home, 10-10-2 in Frisco).
Topeka set a franchise record for goals in a season with 242, passing the mark of 221 set in 2006-07, and doing it with 4 fewer games on the schedule.
The 'Runners also set a new mark for lowest goals against per game at 2.36. The old record was 2.48 set largely by Bryce Merriam and Nick Hopper in 2006-07.
Lyle Rocker's 13 wins is the most for any "backup" goalie in Runners history, and his 2.09 GAA is also a record.
The RoadRunners meet the Tornado in the Division Semi-Finals for the second consecutive year. There are 4 active Tornado players who played in last years series, while the RoadRunners return 9.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2008
- U.S. Nat'l Sled Hockey Team Defeats Italy, 4-0 - U.S. National Team
- Blues Drop Two in Bismarck; Settle For Fourth Place - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Runners Close Out Regular Season With 4-1 Win - Topeka Pilots
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