Series Shifts To Springfield
Published on April 8, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Watch that first shot, it's a doozy.
Such has been the case in the NAHL South Division Semi-Final series between the regular season division champion Topeka RoadRunners and the 4th seeded Springfield Jr. Blues. In each of the first two games played in Topeka, the 'Runners stingy defense has kept the Jr. Blues to an impressively low number of shots, but on both nights, Springfield's leading scorer Jared Rickord scored on the Jr. Blues first shot of the game. On Friday, the Jr. Blues first shot on goal didn't come until the 10:44 mark of the first period but it was tapped in by Rickord following a failed RoadRunner zone clearing attempt and a nice body-twisting assist by Nick Curry. On Saturday, again the 'Runners opened with a flurry but Rickord scored on Springfield's first shot of the game at 16:57.
With the best of five series tied at a game apiece, the scene shifts to the smaller, sometimes constricting confines of the Nelson Center, where the RoadRunners fashioned a 4-1-1 record during the regular season. One of the things that helped Topeka enjoy such a degree of success was their dominance on the special teams, scoring on 20 of 63 power play chances (31.7%), and scoring 2 shorthanded goals while killing off 53 of 62 penalties (85.5%). In two postseason games with Springfield, Topeka is 0 for 8 on the power play but have killed off 11 of 12 penalties. Head Coach Scott Langer is not overly concerned with the power play's lack of production. "If were weren't getting chances, that's when I worry. But we're handling the puck well, controlling the play, and getting our chances. We have a lot of talented guys out there and the goals will come."
Langer and his RoadRunners have crafted a culture where limiting opponents chances and shots on goal is part of every day business. In Games 1 and 2, the RoadRunners outshot Springfield by an amazing margin of 103-33, yet only outscored them 8-6. Heading into Springfield, the task at hand is to maintain the level of intensity. "We know they will come out hard and fast on that small ice", Langer said. "We need to match their intensity and play OUR game. If we do the things we've done all year, we will be fine."
One of the glaring advantages the RoadRunners have is their depth. In 12 head to games with Springfield in the regular season, Topeka has 5 different players with 5 or more goals. Springfield has only one player with 4 (Rickord) and everyone else has 3 or less. In the two playoff games, Topeka had 7 different goal scorers, while Springfield had 4. A time-tested sports axiom says that in a short series, anything can happen. By winning Game 1, Springfield effectively stole home-ice advantage from the 'Runners. Topeka will fight this weekend to make sure that's all that's stolen. On paper, Topeka won 44 games this season while Springfield won 21, and the 'Runners went 9-2-1 vs the Jr. Blues. But since games aren't played on paper, the 25 young men who wear a RoadRunner on their chest will have to be at their best this weekend in Illinois.
NOTE: If Topeka advances to the South Division Finals (against the winner of the St. Louis vs Texas series), Games 1 and 2 will be played in Landon Arena on Thursday and Friday April 15 and 16. The Expocentre's other tenant (the Kansas Koyotes indoor football team) has their home opener scheduled on Saturday April 17. If applicable, the full Division Final schedule will be posted on the teams website as soon as it is finalized.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2010
- On to Janesville for Stars - Traverse City North Stars
- Series Shifts To Springfield - Topeka Pilots
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