Topeka RoadRunners Release Regular Season Schedule

The NAHL released the 2012-13 Schedule on the leagues official website, with the Topeka RoadRunners beginning their season on September 12, 2012 at the annual NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN. The opponents for the Showcase will be announced at a later date. Teams will play a 60-game schedule as they compete for the leagues championship trophy, the Robertson Cup.
Topeka will once again compete in the NAHL South Division, now down to six teams with the New Mexico Mustangs being dormant for the season. The RoadRunners will enjoy the earliest home opener in franchise history when they host the Odessa Jackalopes on Monday, September 17 at Landon Arena. Odessa returns two weeks later for a three game set and will not return to Landon Arena during the regular season.  The only out-of-division games will be against the Springfield Jr. Blues, who have moved into the 8 team North Division. The RoadRunners and Jr. Blues will square off 8 times, with 4 games in each city.
The rivalries in the South will likely ramp up once again, as the Runners will face Amarillo, Wichita Falls, and Texas a total of 12 times each. The schedule is rounded out with 8 games against Odessa and 4 games against Corpus Christi.
Unlike the 2011-12 season where the RoadRunners were forced to play 18 of their first 20 games on the road, this season’s schedule is considerably more balanced. The longest road swing is 6 games, taking place in February when the ‘Runners traditionally hit the road. On the flip side, Topeka will enjoy two six game homestands.
Topeka will have a bit of a haul to close out the season, with 12 of the last 16 away from Landon Arena, though it immediately follows a stretch where the ‘Runners play 12 of 16 at home. “No schedule is perfect”, said Head Coach / GM Scott Langer. “But overall, every team in the league has certain challenges to face and I think the league did a good job putting it all together.” Langer, who attained his 300th career head coaching win in the 2011-12 season returns in his ninth season with the RoadRunners.
The full schedule can be viewed on the team’s website.