Sharkey’s Hat Trick Leads RoadRunners Over Tornado 5-3

Making the most out of an opportunity to gain some ground in the South Division, the RoadRunners scored early and held off late Tornado charge to earn a big win in Frisco 5-3.

Justin Greenberg gave the Tornado a brief 1-0 lead with his goal at :57 in the first period. From that point on, the period belonged to Topeka. Ross Luedtke tied the game off a feed from Tyler Groat at 7:47. Then Kyle Sharkey took over. With goals at 12:27 and 15:27, Sharkey gave the Runners a lead they would not relinquish.

Still 3-1 RoadRunners in the second, Ross Luedtke would find the net again at 9:12 to give Topeka a 4-1 edge. Also in the second, Texas committed the game’s only two penalties (Brandon Hawkins for Checking from Behind at 11:45).

The Tornado made it a game in the third with rapid fire goals by Jackson Leef and Max Stuart, cutting the RoadRunner lead to 4-3 with little less than 10 minutes remaining. Topeka’s defense tightened up and, with a minute left in regulation, Sharkey cleared the zone long distance and found the back of an empty net.

Both teams go back at it tonight and you can catch all of the action at Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant. The RoadRunners return to Landon Arena on March first against the Wichita Falls Wildcats. One dollar from each walk-up ticket sale on that date will be used to help send Officers Gogian and Atherly’s families to Washington DC for the National Police Week Memorial.