'Runners Rewind - Win Streak Clipped at 10
Published on December 21, 2015 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
In the 2009-10 season, the Topeka RoadRunners strung together 11 consecutive wins, establishing a franchise record. That streak ended in a 3-2 loss at home to Springfield. The following season, the 'Runners had won 9 straight and were stopped at home again by Springfield, a 2-1 shootout loss. This year, Topeka rode into Springfield having won 9 in a row (four of those wins against the Jr. Blues) and had their sights set on making history.
Friday night, Topeka got on the board first as Sami Tavernier entered the zone, cut across to his right and fired a hard shot through traffic that Quinn Preston stuffed home on the rebound for a 1-0 lead at 15:45 of the first period. The Jr. Blues sent it to the intermission evened up with a goal of their own. Tavernier continued his hot play, assisting Dominic Lutz on his team leading 15th goal at 3:58 of the second, and then scoring one of his own at 7:09, set up by Quinn Preston. The Jr. Blues battled back to tie the game at 3-3 by the end of the period. A late penalty against Springfield in the middle frame carried over into the third, where Tyler Hayes put the 'Runners on top to stay, with his power play goal assisted by Tavernier who picked up his third assist and fourth point of the night. JB Baker and Marcus Russell each added empty net goals for the final 6-3 margin as Topeka's win streak rose to 10 behind Juho Niku's sixth straight win, stopping 23 of 26 shots.
Saturday night, the RoadRunners fell behind 2-0 in the first period, the two goals coming :35 seconds apart, the first of them on a power play. The Jr. Blues would add a second period tally as they maintained solid pressure throughout, outshooting Topeka 47-29 en route to a 3-0 win.
Topeka (20-10-0) will take a couple of days off for the Christmas holiday, and return to the ice on Saturday December 26 to kick off a seven game homestand with a weekend match up against Lone Star (18-6-4). The 'Runners won both games head to head against the Brahmas back in early October, and the teams are currently tied with 40 pts each for second place, 9 points behind Wichita Falls. The games will be available on pay-per-view through FASTHockey.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2015
- Balsamo Selected as NAHL East Division 2nd Star of the Week - Philadelphia Rebels
- Rebels to Hold Open Practice on New Year 's Day - Philadelphia Rebels
- NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Road Split Before Holidays - Brookings Blizzard
- Amarillo Bulls Weekly - Amarillo Bulls
- Bruins Gather Holiday Donations for Salvation Army - Austin Bruins
- RoadRunners Topple Springfield - Topeka Pilots
- 'Runners Fall to Springfield Saturday - Topeka Pilots
- IceRays Weekly - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Knights Top Rebels 5-2 - Philadelphia Rebels
- 'Runners Rewind - Win Streak Clipped at 10 - Topeka Pilots
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