Runners Kick Off Homestand With Win
January 21, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Coaches are often quoted in postgame interviews talking about "getting the bounces", or not getting them. On a quirky night where bounces benefited both teams, it was a crisp wrister in a shootout that sealed the win for the Topeka RoadRunners over the Wichita Falls Wildcats on Thursday night in Landon Arena.
Riding a six game win streak into what will be the longest homestand of the season, the RoadRunners scored first when Davey Middleton tipped a Chris Bond shot from the midpoint past the Wichita Falls goalie at 14:45. Topeka outshot the Wildcats 11-7 in the first period and largely dominated chances and puck possession, but the 'Cats still managed some quality chances of their own. The score remained 1-0 after 1.
The second period saw both teams clamping down a bit defensively, and each team managed just six shots on goal and after two periods, the RoadRunners still led 1-0.
While bouncing pucks may have deterred goal scoring in the first two periods, in the third period the pendulum swung the other way. It was just :12 seconds into the third when a Davey Middleton shot ricocheted off the skate of Kyle Sharkey at the top of the crease to give Topeka a 2-0 lead. Just :20 seconds later, a Wildcat pass to Dakota Klecha clanged off the side of his skate and past the RoadRunner defenseman, springing the Wichita Falls forward on a breakaway that he buried low stick side to close the gap to 2-1. Then at 1:53, a Wildcat clearing attempt off the glass hit a seam and bounced to Danny Dupell on the left wing who wound up to deliver a slap shot but the fluttering puck came off his stick oddly and fooled Wildcat goalie Tyler Green and Topeka led suddenly 3-1.
The oddly bouncing pucks may have had RoadRunner logos painted on them, but they showed no prejudicial allegiance as they aided both teams equally. At 13:48 of the third period, an innocuous dump in from 100 feet away off the stick of Steven Hoshaw bounced past Eric Rohrkemper to surprisingly make it a one goal hockey game. Only :21 seconds passed before Wichita Falls tied it up at 3-3 with Miha Stebih putting a shot upstairs off a pass from behind the 'Runners net. Each team had some chances down the stretch but this game would not be decided in sixty minutes, as fans attending "Family Fun Night" were treated to some extra hockey.
The five minute overtime session was controlled by Topeka, outshooting the Wildcats 5-1 but with no goals being scored, the game would be decided by shootout. The Wildcats had won 2 of the 5 shootouts they'd been in, while Topeka was 1-1. Statistically, shootouts favor the goalies but on this crazy Thursday night, 7 of the 10 shooters all scored, and 2 of the 3 that didn't missed the net entirely. The Wildcats got goals from Dakota Klecha, Ryan Frost and Mikhail Sentyurin, and for Topeka, four consecutive goals would be enough. Brian Christie, Kyle Sharkey, and Justin Hussar all scored by deking to the glove side, and Joe Van Antwerp buried a solid wrist shot high on the glove side to cement the 4-3 win. Eric Rohrkemper collected his eighth straight win, stopping 24 shots. He is now 11-2-2 on the year.
Topeka (26-8-2) and Wichita Falls (17-16-4) conclude their two game series Friday night at 7:05 pm in Landon Arena. The RoadRunners first place lead is now 3 points over Texas (who lost 5-2 in Fairbanks Thursday night) and 7 points over Amarillo (who was idle but has three games in hand). The win was the franchises 50th win over Wichita Falls, more than against any other opponent. Topeka's win streak is now at seven games. Leading scorer and captain Michael Hill returns to the lineup Friday night after serving a seven game suspension. Topeka's win percentage (.750) is tied with St. Louis for best in the NAHL.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2011
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- Stars Stop Chicago, 5-1 - Traverse City North Stars
- IceRays Stampeded by Mustangs, 6-0 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Runners Kick Off Homestand With Win - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls Announce Roster Moves - Prepare for Battle Saturday Versus Wichita Falls - Amarillo Bulls
- Bulls Sonic Sunday is Sold Out - Amarillo Bulls
- Janesville Jets Set to Serve Up Fun at `Skaters as Waiters' Event - Janesville Jets
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