Team South Closes Out Tourney With Loss
Published on February 22, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Tuesday morning in Ann Arbor, MI, Team South and Team West met with both trying to bounce back from a Monday loss. Team West overcame a 2-0 deficit to post a 5-3 win on the tournaments final day.
Team South started all 5 RoadRunners as they had on Sunday. It was Beau Walker (Corpus Christi) who scored first, his shot trickling underneath goalie Landon Peterson (Alaska) at 4:24. Team South took a 2-0 lead when Justin Hussar roofed a spin-around backhander at 8:05, assisted by Trevor Campbell. After the first four games played in the tournament, there was not a single penalty called. In the first period alone, Team West was penalized three times, but Team South went 0-for-3 on the power play. Team South outshot Team West 12-6 and led 2-0 after 1.
In the 2nd period, Team West went on the power play when Dakota Klecha (Wichita Falls), the leagues most penalized player was whistled for slashing and Sean O'Rourke (Fairbanks) cashed in to make it a 2-1 game at 4:37, and then Gabe Gervais (Chicago) tied the game at 2-2 at 6:11. Team West largely controlled the second period, outshooting Team South 13-6, and the game was still tied at 2 after 2. Eric Rohrkemper stopped 10 of the 12 shots he faced.
Team West got a lift just :24 seconds into the final frame when DJ Vandercook (Wenatchee) stole the puck behind the South net and buried it behind Steve Bolton (Traverse City). Nate Milam scored his third goal of the tournament, assisted by Trevor Campbell who got his third assist, tying the game at 3-3 at the 6:28 mark. Team West responded by striking quickly for two goals, the first from Dakota Mason (Dawson Creek) assisted by Chris Rumble (Wenatchee) at 8:42, then Matt Thompson (Kenai River) from Hunter Brown (Wenatchee) at 9:14. Team South pulled Bolton for the extra attacker in the final minute, but couldn't pull any closer and Team West closed out the 5-3 win.
The RoadRunners had a solid showing at the Tournament.Nate Milam had a goal in each game, finishing with 3 goals and an assist (4 pts). Justin Hussar had 2 goals and an assist (3 pts), Trevor Campbell had 3 assists, and Brian Christie had a goal and an assist (2 pts). Eric Rohrkemper went 1-0-0, and looked sharp. The five players along with head coach Scott Langer will fly to Dallas to rejoin the team for a two game set against the Texas Tornado. Second place Texas trails Topeka by 9 points with 11 games left to play, lending added importance to the weekend series.
Both games in Texas (Thu and Sat) are set for 7:30 faceoffs, and will be available to listen online at countrylegends1069.com and pay-per-view at FASTHockey.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2011
- Team West Crowned NAHL Top Prospects Champs - NAHL
- North Bows out with 3-1 Loss - Traverse City North Stars
- Di Puma Named SBK Hockey/West Player of the Week - Wenatchee Wild
- Team South Closes Out Tourney With Loss - Topeka Pilots
- Walker Scores But Team South Loses Final Game, 5-3 - Corpus Christi IceRays
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