'Runners Topped by Wildcats in 4-3 Loss
March 24, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
The Topeka RoadRunnersmissed a chance to solidify their hold on second place in the NAHL South, dropping a 4-3 loss in regulation in Wichita Falls on Friday night.
While the main focus was squarely on getting the points necessary to secure home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, an interesting subplot involved RoadRunner forwardRichard Youngreturning to the building he called home last April when the 'Cats pushed the 'Runners to five games in the South SemiFinals. Young had an immediate impact Friday when he snapped home the rebound of a Brian Christie shot just :57 seconds into the game for a 1-0 Topeka advantage. The Wildcats tied it up on a power play whenTrace Strahleblocked a shot that temporarily hobbled him, leaving him struggling to get to his feet in the slot. Brennan Parker snapped a shot behindCollin LeMayin the midst of the scramble at 14:23 and the game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes.
In the second period, Wichita Falls pounced quickly with two quick scores. The first came when Sergei Soloviev took a shot from the left point that went off Jakob Batcha into the net at 1:44 and the 'Cats led 2-1. On their second power play of the game, a rebound came off to the left of LeMay and Brennan Parker lifted it over LeMay's outstretched body at 3:30 and suddenly Topeka was trailing 3-1. The 'Runners battled back to tie, closing the gap to one whenBrian Christieburied his 20th of the year fromJake LynesandMick Bruceat 9:35 and thenChris Bonddrove home a blast from the left point at 16:03 from Richard Young andAnders Schultzand the game was tied 3-3 after two periods, with Topeka outshooting the 'Cats 30-16.
The RoadRunners had their chances in the final frame.Kyle Sharkeyrang one of the pipe on a 3-on-1 break,Sean Gaffneywas robbed after a gorgeous move appeared to leave the far side of the net wide open, and the 'Runners had overlapping power plays that gave them :16 seconds of 5-on-3 time, all to no avail. Wichita Falls scored what would be the game winning goal at 10:25 when Chris Pontello dished a pass from behind the net against the grain to George Pagonis who caught LeMay leaning with the flow of the play and stuffed it in glove side. Topeka outshot the 'Cats 11-4 in the third and pulled LeMay for the extra skater for the final 1:05 but Wichita Falls held on the 4-3 win, snapping a six game losing streak.
Topeka (35-18-4) and Wichita Falls (20-33-5) meet again on Saturday at 7:05 pm. The RoadRunners are still in second place by virtue of the tiebreaker after Texas gained a point in shootout loss at Corpus Christi. Each team has 74 points and the same number of games played but Topeka has two more wins. The RoadRunners conclude their regular season schedule next Saturday and Sunday at home against the Odessa Jackalopes who make their first visit to Landon Arena. Playoffs will begin in early April, with the schedule TBA depending on final seeding.
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North American Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2012
- IceRays Lose 6-2, Still Remain Tied with Odessa - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Dominating performace gives Texas 6-2 win in road finale - Texas Tornado
- Bruins Sweep Bobcats - Austin Bruins
- 'Runners Topped by Wildcats in 4-3 Loss - Topeka Pilots
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