'Runners Comeback Falls Short, Streak Ends
Published on March 19, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
After spotting the St. Louis Bandits to a 3-0 lead, the RoadRunners ran out of clock in a furious third period comeback attempt as Topeka's 10-game win streak came to an end.
The RoadRunners offense struggled in the first period, managing just an uncharacteristically low 4 shots on goal. The lone goal of the period was scored by Isak Quakenbush at 12:12 as his wrister hit goalie Eric Rohrkemper's glove but hit the ice with enough momentum to cross the goal line for a 1-0 lead.
The second period saw St. Louis pull even further ahead, beginning with a shorthanded tally by Chris Ciotti after a RoadRunner turnover in the offensive zone. An errant pass sprung Cody Ganchar and Ciotti on a 2-on-1 break and Ciotti took the Ganchar pass and slipped it through the pads of Rohrkemper for a 2-0 lead at 15:09. The Bandits made it 3-0 at 18:14 when Joe Kalisz fired the puck from the RoadRunner goal line off the goalie pad and into the net, prompting the 'Runners to make a goalie switch, bringing Rasmus Tirronen off the bench. He kept the Bandits at bay the rest of the evening, helped by a 'Runner defense that constricted to allow just 6 Bandit shots over the final 21:46 of play.
In a game defined by capitalization of mistakes, Topeka took advantage of mishandled puck in the Bandit zone and Justin Hussar backhanded it behind Matt Green to give the 'Runners some life at 7:12, the unassisted tally being his 32nd of the year. Topeka pulled to within a goal when Bob Marx took a nice pass from Chris Bond and blistered a shot that Ryan White redirected in the slot and the Bandit lead was now 3-2. Topeka got the extra skater on the ice in the waning moments but couldn't get the equalizer as the comeback fell short, ending Topeka's win streak at 10.
Topeka (42-10-3) and St. Louis (38-13-4) meet one final time this season tonight at the Expocentre. Faceoff is set for 7:05 pm with the pregame show beginning at 6:45 pm. Audio coverage is available at countrylegends1069.com and also in the arena at 88.9 FM, with video coverage available on pay-per-view at FASTHockey.com . Links for the broadcasts are accessible on the teams official website at topekaroadrunners.com .
North American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2011
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- Corpus Christi Falters Down The Stretch In 3-2 Loss In Amarillo - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Exciting Again! - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Bruins win over Wings - Austin Bruins
- Jackets blast TC Stars still in 2nd by three points - Traverse City North Stars
- 'Runners Comeback Falls Short, Streak Ends - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls' Quest For 2nd Place Begins Tonight - Amarillo Bulls
- Whew, Jr. Blues Pull out Win - Springfield Jr. Blues
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