'Runners Cruise To Sixth Straight Win
March 4, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Many fans were still dressing their dollar hot dogs when the RoadRunners scored the game winning goal just :12 seconds into the game, but almost everyone stuck around to the end as the RoadRunners posted a convincing 5-0 victory over the visiting Wichita Falls Wildcats Thursday night.
On a day where the RoadRunners held a press conference to unveil the 2011 Robertson Cup logo, and offered $2.00 tickets in addition to dollar hot dogs and free parking as part of a "Family Fun Night" promotion, Topeka's hockey team came out fired up and happy to be on home ice after logging well over 3,500 bus miles over a seven game road trip. The opening faceoff was controlled by the Wildcats but a lead pass was picked off by Nate Milam who took off up the right wing, then snapped a sharp pass across to Brian Christie who whistled it past Tyler Green for a 1-0 RoadRunner lead just :12 seconds into the game. Topeka maintained pressure, adding a second goal at 10:13 when Ryan White backhanded a pass from behind the net out front to Justin Hussar who fired it home high on the blocker side for the 2-0 lead that stood after one period, with Topeka holding a shots on goal margin of 13-4.
More of the same followed in the second period, with the 'Runners outshooting Wichita Falls 13-5. The lone goal of the period came at 13:33 at Michael Hill jammed home the rebound of a Jacob Poe shot on the power play and Topeka led 3-0 after 2.
In what was clearly one of the more complete games authored by the 'Runners as far as the sometimes elusive "sixty minute effort", Topeka kept their foot on the gas in the third, with Nate Milam scoring at the 1:31 mark to make it 4-0. At 11:11 on the power play, Bob Marx fed the puck to Ryan White just below the right point, and White fired a crossing pass to Michael Hill who blasted a one-timer behind Green for his second of the night and 37th of the season. Rasmus Tirronen stopped all 19 shots he faced and registered his 4th shutout of the season in front of 2,885 fans.
Topeka (38-9-3) and Wichita Falls (22-23-4) meet again Friday night in Landon Arena to close out the brief two game homestand. The RoadRunners have won six straight and are 5-0-0 against the Wildcats this season. The teams meet for the final time in the regular season next Friday at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. While not mathematically locked in, these games figure to be a precursor for the NAHL South Division SemiFinals which will begin in April. The game in Topeka is set for a 7:05 pm faceoff 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, and video coverage is 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 4, 2011
- 'Runners Cruise To Sixth Straight Win - Topeka Pilots
- Bruins Win! - Austin Bruins
- Stars survive for 3-2 shootout win - Traverse City North Stars
- Corpus Christi Signs Three Tenders for 2011-12 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bruins Travel to Aberdeen Wings - Austin Bruins
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