Runners Rally To Power Past Bulls
November 1, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Six unanswered goals and some stellar goaltending helped the RoadRunners keep their hot streak alive by defeating Amarillo 6-2 on Halloween night in the Texas panhandle.
The first period belonged to the Bulls. They outshot Topeka 13-6 and had the 'Runners scrambling on their only power play of the period. Joey DiBenedetto shoveled home a puck in the crease as a Bulls power play expired at 14:10 for a 1-0 lead, then AJ Duggan tucked home a rebound just :06 seconds into another Bulls power play at 18:49 and the Bulls led 2-0 after 1. It might have been 3-0 if not for a great breakaway save by Drew Vogler on a Brady Crabtree chance.
In the second period, the tide shifted. At 5:07 Sly Sutter hammered home his team leading eighth goal of the season after a nice hardworking setup by Sam Rennaker. Topeka tied the game at 14:21 when newly named captain Mike Gornall drove a shot through traffic and between the pads of Bulls goalie Anton Martinsson. The comeback was complete at 18:35 when Cam Strong ripped home a loose rebound during a scrum in the Bulls crease area. Just :17 later, Sam Rennaker rang a shot off the iron and into the net driving down the left wing and Topeka held a 4-2 lead after 2 periods.
Early in the 3rd period, the game was highlighted by solid goaltending at both ends, with Vogler making two tremendous saves during a power play and Martinsson at the other end denying a couple of solid chances. Topeka would grow their lead at 6:39 when Jasen Fernsler stole the puck in the neutral zone, and slipped a pass to Daniel Rzavsky who spotted Strong on the left side. Strong powered a shot seemingly right through Martinsson, sending the Bulls netminder to the bench, replaced by Jacob Weatherly. Five minutes later, the 'Runners piled on another goal as Willie Brown caught a crisp pass from Ryan Polin then juked hard to his right to beat Weatherly, giving Topeka a 6-2 lead which ended up being the final.
Topeka (14-2-1) and Amarillo (5-7-2) square off again Saturday night at the Amarillo Civic Center. See the game live at Skinny's Sports Bar & Grill in Topeka or listen to Arch Ecker's call on Sports Radio 1490 KTOP or on your mobile device with the iHeartRadio app.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2014
- Tomahawks Fall to Eagles 3-1, Split Weekend Series - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Wild Versus Kenai Game One Brings 3-2 Final - Wenatchee Wild
- Bobcats Stunned in Final Minute at Brookings - Bismarck Bobcats
- Runners Rally To Power Past Bulls - Topeka Pilots
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