Tornado fall in Game 2, trail Topeka in series 2-0
April 7, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
The Texas Tornado were defeated by the Topeka Roadrunners for a second straight night, falling on Saturday by a score of 4-2. Jake Lynes had a pair of goals for the Roadrunners, who take a 2-0 advantage into Game 3 of the five-game series. Texas picked up goals from both Mychal Monteith and Drew Mayer, but were unable to fend off Topeka, who scored two straight goals in the third to pick up the win. Regardless of the outcome of the series, the Tornado will still play for the Robertson Cup, with the tournament taking place from May 3rd-May 8th at Dr Pepper Arena.
Lynes, who had the overtime winner in Friday's contest, as well, got the Roadrunners on the board in the first. He took in a pass from Mick Bruce at the blue line and skated to the right-wing circle, where he unleashed a wrist shot that rang off the crossbar and straight down. The goal, which came at 14:59 of the first, gave the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead and was the only marker of the period.
Topeka made it a two-goal game in the second on a goal scored by Sean Gaffney. As the Roadrunners broke into the zone along the right-wing, Kyle Sharkey hit Gaffney with a drop pass at the top of the circle. Gaffney took the puck and ripped a wrist shot past Leisner to give Topeka the 2-0 lead. Following the goal, Leisner, who had seen just seven shots on goal through the first 27 minutes, was replaced by Joakim Jutras.
Following the goalie change, the Tornado appeared to find another gear and seized the momentum. After a penalty to James Ring put Texas on the power-play, Jordan Lovick had the puck in the left-wing circle before giving it back to center-point for Monteith. The defenseman took a wrist shot that snuck through a screen to beat Peter Traber and cut the Roadrunners lead in half. Texas played well throughout the period, but were unable to score before the end of the second as Topeka took a 2-1 lead into intermission.
Early on in the third period, the Tornado tied the game on a beautiful give-and-go between Mayer and Mitch McPherson. Mayer skated into the zone with the puck and gave it off to the left wing for McPherson, who quickly returned it to Mayer. Driving hard to the net, the Troy, Mich. native tipped it past Traber and in to make it a 2-2 game. Incidentally, the goal marked the first time in the series that the Tornado scored at even-strength.
Later in the period, the Roadrunners regained the lead on Lynes' second goal of the game. Luke Veitch wound up and took a shot from the point that Lynes was able to deflect past Jutras to once again give Topeka a one-goal advantage. The Tornado had 7:25 left in regulation to tie the score, but with just over a minute left, Jutras was pulled in favor of the extra attacker. With less than 20 seconds left and the puck at the point, Kyle Sharkey intercepted a cross-ice pass, skated it all the way down, and put the puck in the empty net to seal the win for Topeka and give them a 2-0 advantage in the series.
The series now shifts to Frisco, with Games 3 and 4 to be played at Dr Pepper Arena on Thursday, April 12th and Friday, April 13th. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 starts. Tickets are still available by calling 972-335-9800 or visiting tornadohockey.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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