'Runners Shake off Rough Start in 3-2 Win
Published on January 30, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunners struggled early, falling behind 2-0 in the first period to the visiting New Mexico Mustangs but found their groove as the game progressed, earning a 3-2 come-from-behind victory on Friday night in Landon Arena.
New Mexico scored on their first shot of the game at the 1:37 mark of the first period as Bill Kent buried a wrister from the high slot, drifting to his left and shooting against the grain. The Mustangs doubled their lead at 11:45 of the first when a clean faceoff win was pushed to the left point where former RoadRunner Cody Walsh fired it through a crowd into the net for the 2-0 advantage that stood at the end of 20 minutes. Despite surrendering two first period tallies, goalie Peter Traber had to be sharp on a few occasions when bad turnovers gave the Mustangs some quality chances, and those saves kept the game from getting out of hand early.
In the second period, the 'Runners increased offensive zone pressure while holding the Mustangs to just 5 shots, but were unable to score until Brian Christie snapped a shot home with 1.4 seconds left in the frame, assisted by Sean Gaffney and Luke Veitch. The goal provided Topeka with a much needed lift, and it translated into a continued inspired effort into the third period.
WIth Topeka still trailing by one midway through the third, a 'Runners power play was cut short after just :15 seconds by a slashing call that set up a 4-on-4 situation. The extra open ice served Topeka well, as Anders Schultz and Ben Bahe combined to set up Cory Ramsey for the game tying goal at 12:09, a snapshot from the slot on a pass from behind the net. In a game that featured very few penalty calls, the 'Runners went on a power play with 2:11 left in the game. It appeared the game might be headed into overtime for the second time in three meetings between the clubs this season, but Ryan White had other plans. After the Mustangs had cleared the puck the length of the ice on their penalty kill, goalie Peter Traber gathered the puck, snapping a pass to Trace Strahle. Strahle fed Cory Ramsey on the left wing wall and Ramsey fired it across to Ryan White who was blazing up the right wing, cutting deep into the zone before rifling a wrister over the shoulder of Mustang goalie Randy Graham into the net for a 3-2 lead with 17.5 seconds left in regulation. It was a case of deja vu for the Mustangs, who lost a 2-1 decision in Topeka in December 2010 when Brian Christie scored with 10.6 seconds left in regulation. Team Captain Cory Ramsey played in his first game since Oct.15, registering a goal and an assist and a +2 rating.
Topeka (27-12-2) and New Mexico (13-26-2) meet for the final time this season Saturday evening at 7:05. The RoadRunners are 8-1-1 all time vs New Mexico, and 5-0-0 in Landon Arena.
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