'Runners Find Scoring Touch, Lead Series 2-1
Published on April 9, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
After being held scoreless for a span of 111 minutes and 17 seconds, the Topeka RoadRunners finally found the back of the net and rode four unanswered goals to a 5-2 win in Game 3 of their NAHL South Division Semi Final series against Wichita Falls. The 'Runners now lead the best of five series 2 games to 1.
Despite a solid first period effort, the bounces went the way of the Wildcats who, after having a goal disallowed for being directed in by a hand or arm, took a 1-0 lead when Tanner Fahlstedt tucked in a rebound behind Rasmus Tirronen at 14:16 and the lead stood at the end of the frame.
Wildcat goalie Tyler Green had held the RoadRunner offense scoreless since Nate Milam's third period goal in Game 1, but finally was beaten on a tic-tac-toe passing pass from Brian Christie on the right wing down the wall to Nate Milam who snapped a sharp pass out front to Andrew O'Leary who punched it home to tie the game at 1 at 12:09 of the second period. Topeka took the lead for good when Ryan White blistered a shot from the left point while shorthanded at 14:24, and the 2-1 RoadRunner lead carried into the third period, with Topeka having outshot the 'Cats 30-18.
In the third period, Nate Milam scored what would prove to be the game winner on a low hard shot to the glove side from the high slot at 5:12, and Topeka's power play drought ended at 17:53 when Brian Christie hammered home a rebound for a 4-1 lead during a 5-on-3 advantage. Just :32 seconds later, the 'Runners were guilty of a defensive lapse that allowed Ryan Frost a chance to pick the top corner to make it a 4-2 game with 1:35 left to play. Wichita Falls pulled their goalie for the extra skater for a 6-on-4 advantage with a 'Runner in the penalty box, but Brian Christie managed his way through the 'Cats neutral zone, firing the puck into the empty net to seal the 5-2 victory and bring the RoadRunners to a win away from a fourth consecutive South Division Finals.
Topeka looks to close out the series in Game 4 Saturday night at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls. Faceoff is set for 7:05 pm, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 pm on countrylegends1069.com and FASTHockey.com. If necessary, Game 5 would be in Topeka's Landon Arena Monday night at 7:05 pm.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2011
- Tornado fall in overtime as Amarillo wins playoff series - Texas Tornado
- Stars eliminated, 5-0 - Traverse City North Stars
- 'Runners Find Scoring Touch, Lead Series 2-1 - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls Get 2nd Chance To Close Out Series Tonight - Amarillo Bulls
- Bulls Fall to Tornado 6-4, Still Lead Series 2-1 - Amarillo Bulls
- Wild Advance to West Division Finals - Wenatchee Wild
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