'Runners Race Past Mustangs in 6-3 Win
February 12, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The RoadRunners long anticipated return to New Mexico for the first time since April 2007 got off to a good start on Thursday night as Topeka jumped out to a 2-0 lead and rode it all the way to a 6-3 win in the beautiful Santa Ana Star Center.
After committing to Merrimack College earlier in the week, forward Justin Hussar spoke of a renewed focus on the remainder of this season. That focus helped generate a pair of goals in the first period that jumpstarted the RoadRunners, the first coming on a power play at 7:45, tucking home the rebound of a Michael Hill attempt. At the 12:00 minute mark, he rocketed home a laser shot off a Nate Milam drop pass in the top corner glove side for a 2-0 lead that stood after 20 minutes. At the other end of the rink, Eric Rohrkemper had to be sharp as New Mexico generated some quality chances.
In the second period, the Mustangs broke through on a 2-on-1 rush to cut Topeka's lead in half, with Adam Chapie finishing the play at 2:12. Topeka was thwarted on a full two minute 5-on-3 power play and the score remained 2-1 after two periods of play.
The third period was a bit of an anomaly. After just three goals in two periods, the teams combined for six goals on only 12 shots in the final frame. Topeka took a 3-1 lead when Brian Christie (who, like Hussar, committed to Merrimack earlier in the week) dangled through all five Mustang skaters before slipping a backhander under the glove of Marco Wieser at 2:52, with Mason Miller garnering the assist. The Mustangs cut the lead to 3-2 when Patrick Anderson snapped home a crossing pass on the power play, New Mexico's first power play goal in 20 tries against Topeka this season. The goal came at 4:13 on the front end of a double minor power play with Andrew White drawing an ejection for spearing. Still shorthanded and leading by one, the 'Runners netted their 11th shorthanded goal of the season when Joe Van Antwerp unleashed a blast from above the circles that beat Wieser down low for a 4-2 lead. Undaunted, the Mustangs would pull to within a goal again on a power play goal by Jake Webber at 9:03, a dart from the left point after a clean faceoff win to the right side of Rohrkemper. As the teams traded goals, Topeka moved ahead by two yet again when Zach Schrotenboer drove down the right wing and fired a shot that rebounded straight up the slot where Daniel Dupell was driving the net and punched it home quickly for a 5-3 lead at 11:33. On that lines next shift, Schrotenboer worked the puck this time down the left wing and as his shortside attempt popped in the air, it was swatted out of mid-air into the net by Dupell for a 6-3 lead at 15:30 and that was enough to cement the win. Eric Rohrkemper improves to 13-2-3 with the win.
Topeka (32-8-3) meets New Mexico (12-29-3) Friday evening at 7:30 Mountain Time. The game will be broadcast live on countrylegends1069.com and video cast on pay-per-view at FASTHockey.com.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2011
- Last-Second Austin Rally Stings Bobcats - Bismarck Bobcats
- Controversial goal sinks Tornado in overtime on Saturday - Texas Tornado
- 'Runners Blanked in 1-0 Loss - Topeka Pilots
- 'Runners Race Past Mustangs in 6-3 Win - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls Face Tornado Tonight in 2nd Place Showdown - Amarillo Bulls
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