Wildcats Sweep RoadRunners in 2-1 Double Overtime Victory
May 3, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats played in their longest game in team history on Monday night against the Topeka RoadRunners, sweeping them in double overtime for a 2-1 final score.
The first period of Game 3 was as evenly matched as Games 1 & 2. Both teams expressed a heated interest in getting the win, and dug into the play in all three zones. For the third straight game, it was the Topeka RoadRunners who scored first.
Max Harper corralled the puck after it was lofted out of his own zone. He carried it over the Wildcats' blue line, and found Marshall Bowery behind the defense with a beautiful pass. Bowery put the puck on his backhand and rifled it into the top of the net and past Justin Kapelmaster. Shades of Games 1 and 2 continued to creep into the game. The Wildcats tied the score 1-1 in the first period after Aleksi Poikola found Austin Beaulieu in the right circle. The veteran sniped a shot and leveled the score before the first frame came to an end.
The second period yielded fewer shots and goals, as both teams buckled down and played a tight 20 minutes. Jonny Lazarus appeared to have to scored after being given a nice pass from Austin Albrecht. Tyler Johnson, expecting a shot from Albrecht, was caught a bit out of position but lunged from his left to his right to rob Lazarus of scoring a go-ahead goal. The Cats went into the third period trailing Topeka in shots 17-14.
The third period was similar to the second, though the Wildcats had an edge in play. They doubled the RoadRunners in shots 12-6, but some close calls on both sides were all denied by the spectacular play of goaltenders Kapelmaster and Johnson. The score remained tied at 1-1 to end the third period, paving the way for the Cats' first overtime playoff game since 2011.
The first overtime period yielded no scoring, though it did present a challenge for the referee Eric Krasnichuk. Erich Jaeger brought the puck down the right wing and rifled a shot high on Johnson. He shouldered it away, but it bounced high and over him and ultimately behind him. The goal judge believed the puck had crossed the goal line and turned on the red light. However, Krasnichuk's call was no goal, and upon review, there was no conclusive evidence to determine otherwise. Shock turned to elation for the RoadRunners fans, and play resumed.
Two proud rivals grinded things out through the fifth period, and fatigue began to show. 94 minutes and 15 seconds into the longest game in Wildcats history, André Pison backhanded a shot through Johnson's five-hole to give the Wildcats a 2-1 victory and clinch their first Robertson Cup Semi-Finals appearance in team history.
Both goaltenders played like it would be the last game of their lives. Kapelmaster continued his undefeated playoff streak, stopping a whopping 41 of 42 Topeka shots. Johnson backstopped his team to an impressive 37 saves of a possible 39. The Wildcats' opponent in the Robertson Cup Semi-Finals is yet to be determined. Game 1 of the third round will be played at Braemar Arena in Edina, Minnesota on Thursday, May 12th.
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North American Hockey League Stories from May 3, 2016
- Five Current Jets Selected in USHL Draft - Janesville Jets
- Wilderness Lose Two OT Games in Fairbanks to Fall Behind 0-2 in the Series - Minnesota Wilderness
- Amarillo Bulls Team Captain Joey DiBenedetto Commits to Curry College, DIII - Amarillo Bulls
- Runners Eliminated in Double OT Marathon - Topeka Pilots
- Wildcats Sweep RoadRunners in 2-1 Double Overtime Victory - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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