'Runners Come out Hot, Lead Series 1-0
Published on April 3, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners took the ice Saturday night on a clear mission to reestablish the dominance that propelled them to the NAHL's best record in the regular season, and they were successful in their pursuit. Nate Milam led the way with a pair of goals and Topeka stifled the Wichita Falls Wildcats 5-1 in Game 1 of the NAHL South Division Semi-Finals.
Four of the games six goals came in a span of 3:38 of the first period. The RoadRunners took a 1-0 lead in the game when Nate Milam redirected a Chris Bond shot from the left point at 3:44 with Brian Christie also picking up an assist. The lead grew to 2-0 at 5:27 as Davey Middleton blasted a shot home low blocker side, set up by Kyle Sharkey. A Wildcat power play yielded their only goal of the night as Mikhail Sentyurin backhanded a rebound into the net at 6:19, but Topeka retook a 2-goal edge when Kyle Buffardi tipped another blue line offering from Chris Bond at 7:22. Topeka led 3-1 after 20 minutes of play.
In the second period, things settled down some and that seemed to favor Topeka, as they outshot the 'Cats 16-7 without the benefit of a single RoadRunner power play. Topeka notched the only goal of the period when Davey Middleton fed a nice heads up pass from the corner to Kyle Sharkey in front of the net, and Sharkey maneuvered around Tyler Green to tuck it in for a 4-1 lead at 9:52.
As the game entered the final stanza, a RoadRunner power play early in the period was in effect when Nate Milam blasted his second goal of the game, a one timer from the high slot set up by Trevor Campbell and Bob Marx at 3:11, providing the games final margin. Topeka outshot Wichita Falls 45-26, with goalie Rasmus Tirronen stopping 25 shots for the win.
Topeka leads the best-of-five series 1-0. Game 2 with the Wildcats is Sunday at 6:05 pm in Landon Arena. The game will be audio webcast on countrylegends1069.com, available for pay-per-view at FASTHockey.com, and rebroadcast in the arena at 88.9 on the FM dial.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2011
- 'Runners Come out Hot, Lead Series 1-0 - Topeka Pilots
- Jets to Host Next Two Games of Playoff Series - Janesville Jets
- Wenatchee Takes 2-0 Lead in Series - Wenatchee Wild
- Szmatula's OT winner salvages Stars' weekend - Traverse City North Stars
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.
