'Runners Close out Season on Top of NAHL
March 27, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners achieved the elusive goal of winning the NAHL Regular Season Championship by delivering a 4-2 win over the Amarillo Bulls in Topeka's final game of the season on Thursday night in Landon Arena.
After finishing a game short of the regular season title in the 2008-09 season and coming in second by virtue of a tiebreaker last season, the Topeka RoadRunners met another preseason goal when they clinched the leagues best record for the first time in franchise history. Having failed to earn the one point needed to clinch the title in three previous home games, Topeka appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the first period but the goal was waved off for a crease violation. The tables turned when Amarillo's Eric Millisor fired a failed clearing attempt into the net before Eric Rohrkemper could scurry back into the crease and the Bulls led 1-0 at 7:18. Topeka kept their foot on the gas and tied the game on a Justin Hussar power play goal at 9:20, then took the lead thanks to a great individual effort by Jordan Davis who muscled his way around a Bulls defenseman on the right wing, then cut hard across the front of the net to tuck in a low shot at 13:12 to give the 'Runners a lead they would never relinquish. Topeka outshot Amarillo 14-3 in the opening period and led 2-1.
The proverbial insurance goal was as impressive as it was necessary. Jordan Davis was driving up the slot and dished it to Davey Middleton on the right wing, and the 6'3" 195 lb forward put everything he had into a blistering slapshot that rifled past Bulls goalie Gregg Gruehl for a 3-1 lead at 4:05 of the second period. Amarillo cut the lead back to a goal, jamming a shot in off the skate of Rohrkemper at 5:42, setting the stage for a thrilling finish to the game, as Topeka took a 3-2 lead into the locker room after 2.
The final period saw each team have quality chances, but to no avail. Amarillo pulled their goaltender in the final 1:23 but Topeka sealed the win and the regular season title with :08 seconds remaining when Davey Middleton fired the puck 120 feet into the empty net for the 4-2 win, writing a new page in the RoadRunners history book.
Topeka finishes the season at 43-12-3, and with a win percentage of .767, tied for the second best finish in team history. (2008-09, 42-11-5, .767). They will face the Wichita Falls Wildcats in the NAHL South Division Semi-Finals beginning Saturday April 2 in Topeka.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2011
- Bruins Win Season Finale - Austin Bruins
- 'Runners Close out Season on Top of NAHL - Topeka Pilots
- NAHL Playoff Schedule Change - Traverse City North Stars
- Bulls Fall to Tornado 3-1 in Regular Season Finale - Amarillo Bulls
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