'Runners Overcome Early Deficit, Sweep 'Cats
March 5, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
After whitewashing the Wildcats on Thursday night, the RoadRunners surrendered two first period goals before coming back to post a 4-3 win in regulation on Friday to complete the series sweep.
Wichita Falls had not managed a first period goal in 5 previous games against Topeka, and were just 1 for 25 on the power play overall against the 'Runners. However, the Wildcats scored a first period goal just :08 seconds into their first power play of the game as they won the faceoff to the left point, sent it down the wing to Will Suter who snapped it across the crease to Mikhail Sentyurin who onetimed it home behind Eric Rohrkemper for a 1-0 lead. The 'Cats doubled their lead when Jason McAloon knocked in a rebound at 18:40 and Topeka trailed 2-0 after 1 despite outshooting Wichita Falls 12-8.
In the second period the RoadRunners asserted themselves quickly. Justin Hussar scored his 30th goal of the season as the rebound of a Bob Marx shot fell into the crease where Hussar jammed it home at the :40 second mark. Topeka tied the game at 10:14 as Nate Milam came from behind the Wildcat net to poke home a loose puck in the crease. The comeback was complete as Topeka took their first lead of the game at 15:07 on the power play as Cory Ramsey redirected a Nate Milam blast from the high slot and Topeka held a 3-2 edge at the end of two periods.
The RoadRunners got a valuable insurance goal at 3:45 of the third with teams skating 4-on-4 when Trevor Campbell drove down the right wing into the Wildcat zone then fired a pass to Zach Schrotenboer who backhanded it through the legs of goalie Tyler Green for a 4-2 RoadRunner lead. It was an insurance policy that paid huge dividends when the 'Runners coughed up the puck on their own goal line to Will Suter who snapped it quickly in the slot to Ryan Frost who onetimed it by the glove of Rohrkemper to draw the Wildcats to within a goal with 6:05 still to play. Wichita Falls was able to pull Green for the extra skater in the final minute but the RoadRunners were able to hang on and secure a 4-3 win in front of 2,368 fans to close out the short two game homestand.
Topeka (39-9-3) begins their final road trip of the regular season on Friday in Wichita Falls (22-24-4) at 7:05 pm. The RoadRunners are 6-0-0 against the Wildcats this season. The road trip will conclude with a pair of games in Amarillo on Saturday at 7:05 and Sunday at 6:00 pm. The final four games of the year are at home. Audio coverage will be available at countrylegends1069.com and video coverage will be available on pay-per-view at FASTHockey.com. Links for the broadcasts are accessible on the teams official website at topekaroadrunners.com.
ROADRUNNER RAMBLINGS
* Forward Justin Hussar became just the sixth RoadRunner in team history to score 30 goals in a season, joining an elite group consisting of Tibor Kutalek (44), Corey Stark (37), Michael Hill (37 so far this year, 31 last year), Corey Jendras (30) and Eriah Hayes (30).
* Forward Nate Milam reached a landmark over the weekend, netting his 20th goal of the year Friday. He's scored a goal in each of his last four games, has 7 points in those games overall, and also scored a goal in each of the three games he played at the Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor.
* Forward Brian Christie also scored his 20th of the season this weekend, his coming on Thursday in Topeka's 5-0 win. At plus +34, he leads the NAHL in that category.
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North American Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2011
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- 'Runners Overcome Early Deficit, Sweep 'Cats - Topeka Pilots
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