'Runners Fend off IceRays in 4-3 Win
Published on February 3, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners never trailed but needed a third period goal to get the edge needed to secure the teams 29th win of the year, a 4-3 victory over the Corpus Christi Ice Rays on Wednesday night in Landon Arena.
Fans were still settling into their seats when Topeka jumped on the board just :13 seconds into the game when Richard Young ripped a high wrister from the right circle, assisted by Sean Gaffney. Corpus Christi responded by scoring on a Phil Pietroniro shot from the right point through traffic at 3:53. The 'Runners came right back with Anders Schultz burying his first of the year at 5:12, with assists going to Ben Bahe and Brian Christie. Later in the period, while on the power play Brian Christie blistered a shot off the bottom of the crossbar into the net for a 3-1 edge at 16:15, assisted by Cory Ramsey and Ben Bahe. Topeka outshot Corpus Christi 14-3 in a dominant first period.
In the second period, Topeka again outshot the Ice Rays 9-6, but the only goal of the period came on a Corpus Christi power play at 16:49 with Zachary Lindsay tapping in an easy feed to make it a 3-2 game, a lead that stood after two periods.
The Ice Ray comeback was complete at 1:21 of the third as Danny Fetzer fired a shot across the body of Peter Traber over his glove from the left wing and the game was tied at 3-3. Topeka took the lead for good when Kevin Patterson fired a shot home from the right point at 12:58, assisted by Ryan White. The 'Runners held on for the win, the teams fourth straight and 10th in the last 11 games.
Topeka (29-12-2) and Corpus Christi (20-19-3) meet for the final time in the regular season Thursday evening at 7:05, wrapping up a six game RoadRunner homestand.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2012
- Amarillo Bulls Beat New Mexico 5-2 to Return to Playoffs - Amarillo Bulls
- Wild Fall in Game 1 - Wenatchee Wild
- Tornado rally back for third straight win - Texas Tornado
- North Stars Acquire Defenseman Cotroneo - Traverse City North Stars
- Monsters Deal Jacks Tight 4-3 Loss - Odessa Jackalopes
- Geoff Fortman Added to South Division Roster for Top Prospects - Amarillo Bulls
- Bobcats Wrap Week with Dakota Cup Tilt - Bismarck Bobcats
- Alexandria's Reid Sturos Wins Combat Hockey NAHL Player of the Month - NAHL
- 'Runners Fend off IceRays in 4-3 Win - Topeka Pilots
- 'Runners Clobber IceRays to Complete Sweep - Topeka Pilots
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