Wildcats Steal Game 2, Series Tied
April 4, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Lights out. That's what happened when 80 mph winds temporarily cut power to Landon Arena in the second period of Sunday's Game 2 of the NAHL South Division Semi-Finals between the RoadRunners and the Wichita Falls Wildcats. It also describes the play of both goaltenders who dueled to a scoreless draw in regulation forcing overtime.
In the first period, Topeka came out of the chute hot, swarming the offensive zone and peppering Wildcat goalie Tyler Green with a barrage of shots early. Topeka had three first period power plays as well, and at one point were outshooting the 'Cats 9-1. Wichita Falls managed to weather the storm, outshot 17-8 at the end of the period and knotted in a scoreless tie.
It was just over 4 minutes into the second period when an area storm delivered a knockout punch to the building power supply, plunging the arena into darkness momentarily. Players retreated to their locker rooms while power was restored and after a 25 minute delay, play resumed. Topeka had opportunities, notably with a pair of 5-on-3 power plays but were unable to score.
In the third period, it was the Wildcats who had a couple of unsuccessful power play chances, the last one coming with 2:52 left to play. Eric Rohrkemper made some impressive saves, as did Tyler Green at his end of the rink. Topeka hit at least 4 posts, lincluding a crossbar by Nate Milam in the third period with a wide open net. 60 minutes of hockey went by without a goal on either side, forcing the fifth overtime game in RoadRunner history.
The overtime period didn't last long. After back to back icing calls and a defensive zone faceoff, the 'Cats Bobby Chapman won the draw cleanly to Richard Young who snapped a clean onetimer over the blocker of Rohrkemper at 2:19 to steal not only the game, but home ice advantage.
The best of five series, now tied at a game apiece shifts to the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Saturday. If a Game 5 is required, it will be Monday, April 11 in Topeka. All remaining games are scheduled to start at 7:05 pm, with live coverage available at countrylegends1069.com, and pay-per-view at FASTHockey.com (requires high speed connection).
ROADRUNNER RAMBLINGS
* Sunday's game was the fifth overtime game in RoadRunner playoff history, and the second against Wichita Falls. The 'Cats won the first one at home, 2-1 in Game 3 of the Semi-Finals in 2009. Topeka is now 2-3 in OT games, 2-1 at home.
* Game 2 was the seventh playoff game between the two teams, and the first one that saw the road team win. It's also the fourth OT playoff game in the NAHL this year, the first to be won by the visitor.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2011
- Summer tryout camps kick off May 15 - Traverse City North Stars
- Bulls Weekly - Amarillo Bulls
- Wichita Falls Wildcats' Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Wildcats Steal Game 2, Series Tied - Topeka Pilots
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Daavettila Shares Plus-Performer of the Year - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Sound Off On The Ice Rays - Corpus Christi IceRays
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