'Runners Take Series Lead with Overtime Win
Published on April 7, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
On paper, the first round playoff matchup between the Topeka RoadRunners and the Texas Tornado is about as even as could be. In Game 1 of their NAHL South Division Semi Final playoff series, it looked like it as the teams battled into overtime before the 'Runners claimed the 2-1 win to take the 1-0 series lead and protect their home ice advantage.
The first period saw Texas have a pair of power play chances, and while the 'Runners killed off the first one, Texas scored on the second one with approximately one second left on the clock as Jack Prince slipped the puck from behind the net in front where Marc Biggs snapped it home for a 1-0 lead, officially listed as being scored at 19:59 of the period. Topeka had outshot Texas 8-6 but trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes.
The second period featured 4 power plays for Topeka, the second of which was converted into a game tying goal when Kevin Patterson tipped a Trace Strahle shot from the midpoint that sailed past the glove hand of Hunter Leisner at 11:37. Brian Christie also picked up an assist on the goal, and the game remained tied at 1-1 after two periods.
After a scoreless and penalty free third period, the team headed to overtime to settle the score. Each team had opportunities that seemed perilously close. The games final shot came when Chris Bond moved the puck to Jake Lynes in his own zone, with Lynes authoring a coast to coast one man rush that he capped with a sharp wrist shot over the blocker hand of Leisner at 12:04 of the first overtime period for the 2-1 win. Peter Traber stopped 25 Texas shot in picking up the win.
Topeka and Texas meet in Game 2 of the South Division Semi-Finals at 7:05 pm Saturday night. The series shifts to Frisco, TX for Game 3 on Thursday April 12 and if necessary, Game 4 on Friday. Saturday's game is setup for an opening faceoff at 7:05 pm. with play by play broadcaster Arch Ecker providing live coverage on FASTHockey com and countrylegends1069.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2012
- Wings' Rally Drops Bobcats, Evens Series - Bismarck Bobcats
- Blizzard blank Austin - Austin Bruins
- Tornado fall in Game 2, trail Topeka in series 2-0 - Texas Tornado
- 'Runners Take Series Lead with Overtime Win - Topeka Pilots
- Stars Fall in Game 2, 7-3 - Traverse City North Stars
- Thrice As Nice - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Series Tied Up, 1-1: Game 3 Is Saturday - Wenatchee Wild
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