'Runners Double up Jacks in 6-3 Win
April 1, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
It was a game the RoadRunners had to win if they wanted a shot at home ice advantage in the first round of the NAHL South Division playoffs, and they played like it, putting together a solid effort that translated into a 6-3 win over the Odessa Jackalopes in the next to last game of the regular season.
Topeka came out hot, outshooting the Jackalopes 6-1 until Odessa's second shot crossed the line, a fluttering shot swatted at by Lawrence Cornellier for a 1-0 Odessa lead that didn't hold very long. James Ring fired home the rebound of a Mick Bruce shot 1:24 later to tie the game. It remained tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.
In the second period, Odessa retook the lead at 6:54 when Darren Lapic sent a pass from below the Topeka goal line in front to Ryan Atkinson who snapped it home on the doorstep for a 2-1 lead. The 'Runners tied it back up when Trace Strahle sailed a power play shot over the glove of Jackalope goalie Connor Hellebuyck at 13:44. Just under three minutes later, Strahle fired a backhander from high in the slot that Ryan White tipped to Brian Christie, and Christie backhanded it home for Topeka's first lead of the game. It was still 3-2 RoadRunners at the end of the second period.
Early in the third period, shorthanded and with a scant one goal lead, Dan Dupell pounced on a flubbed Jackalope pass and took off, dishing across to Ryan White. White drove the left wing, pulling the only defender his way before feeding it back to Dupell who buried it for his 22nd goal of the year and a 4-2 lead. The assist for White set a new franchise record for career points at 122. At 9:28 James Ring snapped home his second of the night and Topeka held a commanding 5-2 lead. When Alex Ostrowski jammed home a loose puck with 1:44 remaining to make it 5-3, the Jacks intended to pull Hellebuyck for the extra skater but Topeka won the ensuing faceoff and immediately pressured the zone. Richard Young grabbed a loose puck for an easy backhand tally in the slot, set up by aggressive forecheck pressure by Sean Gaffney and Gage Hough with 41.9 seconds left, providing the final 6-3 margin. Peter Traber stopped 24 shots in his first game back from an injury sustained in February.
Topeka (37-18-4) and Odessa (27-27-5) each wrap up their regular season schedule on Sunday at 6:05 in Landon Arena. Topeka trails Texas by 2 points but can still claim second place and home ice advantage in the South Division SemiFinals with a win on Sunday. Anything less will result in Topeka finishing third and surrendering home ice advantage to the Tornado. The game will be videocast with Arch Ecker's play-by-play live on nahl.FASTHockey.com, audio broadcast through countrylegends1069.com, and in the arena on 88.9 FM.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2012
- Jacks Wrap Regular Season With 3-1 Loss - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bad(ner) to the Bone: Winger Scores Four in 6-1 Win - Traverse City North Stars
- 'Runners Double up Jacks in 6-3 Win - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls Beat New Mexico 4-1 to Close out Regular Season - Amarillo Bulls
- Wild Lock up Second Seed in West Division Playoffs - Wenatchee Wild
- Bobcats Rally, Close Regular Season with 4-2 Win - Bismarck Bobcats
- Roadrunners Race Past Jacks 6-3 - Odessa Jackalopes
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.
