Runners Rewind - Brahmas Take Two from Topeka
February 29, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
In their first visit to the NYTEX Sports Center, the Topeka RoadRunners were looking to gain ground on the second place Lone Star Brahmas but came up empty as the Brahmas swept both games over the weekend, increasing their lead over Topeka to 14 points in the NAHL South.
The 'Runners came out strong in the opening period Friday night, jumping to a 1-0 lead in the first period. Andrew Hart intercepted a neutral zone pass, and slid it back to Quinn Preston. Preston dished it to his right to JB Baker, and then drove to the net, accepting the give-and-go feed from Baker and roofing it, helping Topeka to a 1-0 lead at the end of 1. Lone Star tied it up while skating 4 on 4 in the second period and caught a break in the third when a shot deflected over the glove of goalie Juho Niku for a 2-1 Brahma lead. Sami Tavernier knotted the game at 2-2 when he ripped a short side blast upstairs, but the game winning goal was scored by Lone Star's Alex Berardinelli with just over 5 minutes left and the Brahmas claimed the Friday victory, 3-2.
Saturday's game was scoreless at the end of the first, but the 'Runners had trouble staying out of the penalty box and Lone Star cashed in on a 4-on-3 power play to take a 1-0 lead. The Brahmas took a 2-0 lead on an odd sequence that saw the puck enter the net while it was off the moorings but allowed to stand. In the third period, the Brahmas tacked on a shorthanded tally for the 3-0 margin that became the final score.
Topeka (28-20-1) has the week off again, their final weekend off this season. They will return to action the following weekend to wrap up their road swing in Amarillo. The 'Runners return home for a three game set with the surging Odessa Jackalopes on March 18-20.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2016
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- Parrucci Named East Division Star of the Week - Johnstown Tomahawks
- NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Notermann Turns the Page with Bruins - Austin Bruins
- Runners Rewind - Brahmas Take Two from Topeka - Topeka Pilots
- Wilderness Lose Friday against Coulee Region - Minnesota Wilderness
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