Topeka RoadRunners Fall To Wichita Falls Wildcats 5-2

You’d have to go all the way back to October to find a series in which the RoadRunners were able to complete a sweep. After taking the first game handily, Topeka was unable to stop the Wildcats from scoring early and often in their 5-2 defeat.

Conor O’Neil scored in all three periods, netting a hat trick for Wichita Falls. His first goal came at 1:58 in the first period to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead. Sean Gaffney later cleaned up his own rebound to tie the score at 12:25. With the clock winding down in the opening period, the Wildcats would capitalize on a power play. The goal by Sami Salminen coming with just one second remaining on the penalty kill. The score was 2-1 Wichita Falls going into the first intermission.

Eliot Grauer increased the lead to two with his goal at 7:26 of the second. O’Neil piled on another score with less than two minutes remaining in the period to make it 4-1.

Mackenzie Sawyer replaced Spencer Viele in net to start the third period, ending the bleeding but not influencing the outcome. Michal Pastor’s unassisted goal at 2:14 would be all the RoadRunners could muster the rest of the way. O’Neil’s empty netter in the final minutes sealed the deal for the home team, sending the RoadRunners home with that familiar bitter taste in their mouths.

The RoadRunners will depart Topeka again this Thursday, this time for South Division leader Amarillo. Fans can catch every second of the action at Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant on Friday and Saturday night. The games start at 7pm but get there early as seats are limited.