In
a game devoid of any real drama and punctuated by the most
anti-climatic finish in all of sports (i.e. The Shootout), the
RoadRunners (8-1-2) fell to the Tornado (9-0-0) in a battle of South
Division leaders 2-1. Topeka did manage to stifle the vaunted Texas
offense for three periods and overtime, ensuring a tie atop the
standings, but was unable to answer the Tornado’s fourth shootout
attempt.
Any
scoring at all had to wait until the second period as Brandon Hawkins
flipped the puck over the shoulder of a shifting Mackenzie Sawyer to
give the Tornado a 1-0 lead at 7:19. The goal by Hawkins marked only the
third power play goal allowed by the RoadRunners this season.
Kyle
Sharkey knotted the score with his own power play goal, assisted by
Sean Gaffney and Kevin Patterson at 14:17 in the second period. The
score would remain 1-1 through the third period and the final horn of
the overtime frame.
“The
goaltending and defense have been outstanding,” said Head Coach Scott
Langer. “We have to find ways to score. Goals don’t come easy at this
level, it takes the willingness to sacrifice.”
And
the shootout was a prime example. Michal Pastor netted the first
attempt of the shootout but Texas answered immediately with one of their
own courtesy of Scott Conway. The goalies combined to turn away the
next five shots until Mitchell McPherson found room around Sawyer to
take the lead. Kyle Sharkey was then stonewalled by Hunter Leisner and
the game was over.
The
loss drops the RoadRunners into a tie in points with the Tornado for
the South Division lead (18pts). Regardless of the outcome of this
series, one of these teams will leave the weekend sitting in first
place.
The
RoadRunners and Tornado will get back at it on Saturday night at
7:30pm. Fans in Topeka are invited to come out to Blind Tiger Brewery
and restaurant for the RoadRunners Away Game Viewing Party. Following
that game, the RoadRunners will return home to face the Springfield
Junior Blues on Friday, October 19.
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