'Runners Stay Classy, Dump Mustangs
February 14, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
In a weekend filled with a public relations strategy fueled by misquotations and false accusations as a subplot, the RoadRunners maintained composure in a solid 5-2 win on Saturday night to close out the series.
After outplaying New Mexico in every area of the game but failing to score in a 1-0 loss the previous evening, Topeka wasted no time getting on the scoreboard Saturday. Ryan White fed Justin Hussar with a crisp pass on a fast 2-on-1 break at 4:02 of the first period. At 7:34, Kyle Sharkey rocketed a shot over the blocker of the Mustang goalie on the power play for a 2-0 lead. Michael Hill buried a Ryan White pass sharply over the glove hand of Marco Wieser at 14:14 and Topeka was in the drivers seat with a 3-0 lead.
In the second period, Michael Hill struck again for a 4-0 lead on a feed from behind the goal line assisted by Jacob Poe and Chris Bond at 4:14. New Mexico got on the board when James Poston snuck a low shot through traffic past Eric Rohrkemper at 4:59, and Topeka led 4-1 after 2 periods, outshooting the home team 28-10.
In the third period, the Mustangs got a spark when Charles Baldwin slipped through the 'Runners defense and tucked a shot behind Rohrkemper to make it a 4-2 game, but Topeka held fast, driving the final spike at 16:27 on a power play blast by Bob Marx from the right point that blistered over Wieser's blocker for the 5-2 margin that would stand at the end of the game. Eric Rohrkemper improved to 11-0-1 in his last 12 starts.
Topeka (33-9-3) continues the seasons longest road trip when they visit the Springfield Jr. Blues (21-20-3) for a two game series at the Nelson Center in Springfield, IL.
ROADRUNNER RAMBLINGS
* Topeka was the first team in the NAHL to clinch a playoff berth. This weekend, Texas and Amarillo followed suit.
* Team CaptainMichael Hill has scored 32 goals this season. It is the franchise third highest single season goal total, trailing Corey Stark (37) and Tibor Kutalek (44).
* Forward Brian Christie is tied for the NAHL lead in plus / minus at +32.
* Forward Justin Hussar is on pace to become the franchises sixth 30-goal scorer. He currently has 25.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2011
- Poe Commits to UConn - Topeka Pilots
- Monsters Weekly: February 14 - Fresno Monsters
- Corpus Christi Raises $24,250 for American Cancer Society - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bulls Weekly - Five Out of a Possible Six Points, Clinch a Playoff Birth - Amarillo Bulls
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Walt the Wolf Needs Your Help - Wenatchee Wild
- Fighting Falcons to Return to Port Huron - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- 'Runners Stay Classy, Dump Mustangs - Topeka Pilots
- NAHL Announces Top Prospects Jersey Auction - NAHL
- Metal Jackets Sweep Weekend - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Still a Long Row to Hoe... - Springfield Jr. Blues
- NAHL Wildcats Coach, Beat Writer on Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
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