Wild Wins Opener Over Topeka
September 18, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
Blaine, MN. - The Wenatchee Wild received two goal efforts from James Mathias and Niklas Balboa Wednesday afternoon to win their opener at the NAHL Showcase, 5-2 over the Topeka Roadrunners.
Balboa's first goal, assisted by Justin Plate at 8:17, gave the Wild a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
In the second, Topeka's Jerad Tafoya tied it at 1-1, assisted by Tyler Poulsen and Shawn Brennan at 11:57. Mathias restored the lead for Wenatchee at 17:20, assisted by Mike Coyne, putting the Wild up 2-1 after two.
Wenatchee put the game away with three straight goals in the third period. Troy Loggins scored from Matthew Nuttle at 5:18, Balboa scored from Christian Salvato and Nicholas Rivera at 10:42 and Mathias scored at 12:06, assisted by River Rymsha and Kyle Buffardi for a 5-1 lead. Loggins' and Balboa's goals came on the power play. Topeka's Michal Uhrik, assisted by Jasen Fernsler at 12:17 rounded out the scoring, for a final of 5-2 in favor of the Wild.
The Roadrunners outshot Wenatchee 31-24 for the game, with Mackenzie Sawyer making 29 saves for the Wild, while Drew Vogler stopped 19 shots for Topeka. Wenatchee was 2-for-6 on the power play and 5-of-5 on the penalty kill. "I thought we played well against an experienced team" said Wenatchee Head Coach Bliss Littler. "We got good goaltending."
Wenatchee's record is now 1-0-0 on the season, Topeka falls to 3-1-0.
The Wild's next game is Thursday against the Minnesota Wilderness. Faceoff is set for 5:45pm PDT. Wenatchee continues play in the Showcase with games Friday and Saturday, then play two in Bismarck on September 27th and 28th. The home opening weekend at the Town Toyota Center against the Minot Minotauros is set for Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th, with faceoff set for 7:05pm PDT both nights. Individual and group game tickets for all home games are on sale now. Call 509.888.PUCK (7825).
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2013
- Meier Scores Twice in Tomahawks 6-3 Loss - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Bauman's Heroics Give Wildcats Overtime Win - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Wild Wins Opener Over Topeka - Wenatchee Wild
- NAHL Regular Season Kicks off with Blaine Showcase - Soo Eagles
- Bouvet Nets Two, Including Winner as 'Rays Down 'Tauros 5-4 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- 11th Annual NAHL Showcase Begins Today - NAHL
- 2013-2014 Captains Announced - Brookings Blizzard
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
