Topeka Tops Bulls In Shootout
Published on January 16, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Friday the 13th had its share of frightening moments but the RoadRunners overcame them all to post a 4-3 shootout win over the division leading Amarillo Bulls Friday night in the Texas Panhandle.
Between seeing players helped off the ice, a few tough penalty kills, trailing twice in the game, and a Bull-friendly bounce in the shootout the RoadRunners had plenty to overcome. The best news was that both players were able to return to play for the injury-riddled 'Runners, one following a hard but clean check on the boards and the other after blocking a shot. Amarillo, a team that had gone 20-0-2 this season when scoring first did just that on a first period power play goal by Matt Johnson at 4:03. Topeka answered to tie the game at 12:38 when Trace Strahle gloved down an Amarillo clearing attempt and blasted a shot that deflected in for an unassisted tally. Andrew O'Leary gave the 'Runners a 2-1 lead at 16:43 when he drove home a rebound, set up initially by Ben Bahe who fired the puck on net from the right wing on a 3-on-2 break. Amarillo caught a break in the waning seconds when a defensive zone turnover set up Ryan Taylor for a surprise shot that snuck inside the far post to tie the game at 2-2 at the end of one period. Topeka had outshot the Bulls 15-9, despite killing two penalties and having no power plays of their own.
In the second period, a weird bounce again gave Amarillo life. After Peter Traber made a tremendous save on Matt Johnson at point blank range, the rebound went the opposite direction he expected and before he could locate it, T.J. Sarcona backhanded it home for a 3-2 lead at 3:22. Things appeared to be snowballing when Chris Bond was penalized just :09 seconds later for the Bulls third power play, but the RoadRunners penalty killers were resilient and held the Bulls at bay. Topeka tied the game at 3-3 when Jake Lynes ripped home a feed from behind the goal line at 14:17 and the game was tied at 3-3 after two. Topeka again outshot the Bulls, 15-11.
In the third period, Topeka killed off three more penalties against the leagues third most effective power play, and were stifled on two power plays of their own and regulation play ended with the teams still tied at 3-3. Five minutes of overtime yielded no scoring, and the game headed to a shootout.
The shootout started quite favorably for the RoadRunners, as the first three shooters (Michal Pastor, Jake Lynes, and Dan Dupell) all scored and Amarillo first two shooters were turned aside. Peter Traber appeared to make the game winning save on the third shooter but as the shot deflected off his arm, it went up in air and fell into the net behind Traber as he stepped out to celebrate, keeping the Bulls' slim hope alive. Brian Christie shot next but his shot clanged off the crossbar, then the Bulls scored on a backhander pushing the shootout to the fifth round. James Ring had a chance to cement the win but his shot was denied, and Amarillo's fifth shooter had to score or it would be over. Traber came out to cut down the angle and the shot sailed wide as Topeka claimed the 4-3 shootout win, the 'Runners fifth straight and tenth out of eleven.
Topeka (24-11-2) and Amarillo (30-3-6) meet for the final time in the regular season Saturday night at 7:05 pm. The 'Runners are 2-5-0 against the Bulls this season.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2012
- Jets Skaters as Waiters Event Benefits the United Way of North Rock County - Janesville Jets
- Win Streak at Six as 'Runners Sweep Bulls - Topeka Pilots
- Topeka Tops Bulls In Shootout - Topeka Pilots
- Wings Clip TC in Shootout - Traverse City North Stars
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