The Topeka RoadRunners have reached an agreement with their Division Final opponents to keep the entire series in Topeka rather than have three games played in Fairbanks. The intial schedule released by the league was never approved by the RoadRunners organization and negotiations have been ongoing. “This thing really swung back and forth for awhlle”, said Operations Manager Arch Ecker. “it started with Fairbanks being willing to stay here, then with the league setting us up to travel up to Alaska for the last three games, to us finally reaching an accord with the Ice Dogs to have all the games played in Topeka.” Head Coach Scott Langer, while clearly pleased at not having to drag his team up to Alaska, is understanding of the sacrifice made by the Ice Dogs. “As a coach, I know how hard it is to tell your guys you don’t get a home game in this obviously very important series.” He went on to say, “Because of the economics involved, there really is no perfect answer, but we think in the end this agreement is best for both teams.” While this arrangement is obviously beneficial to Topeka, Ecker points out there are benefits for Fairbanks as well. “With the Robertson Cup Finals being in St. Louis, whoever advances from this series is better served to leave from Topeka without the fatigue of traveling back and forth from Alaska.” In addition, Fairbanks saves the cost of flying Topeka into the Last Frontier to the tune of over $20,000. Details of the agreement were not released.

            Team owner Mary Magdalene Lorang was emphatic about protecting her teams right to home ice advantage. “This team fought hard for that banner and for home-ice. There’s no way I’m letting these guys get cheated out of it”, said Lorang. “I’m sorry that Fairbanks won’t get a home game, but we’re not giving up our home ice that we earned. We’ve given a lot to make it as fair as possible.”

            The RoadRunners advanced to the Division Finals by sweeping the Texas Tornado in three straight games, and waited for the outcome of the other South Division Semi-Final series. That series came to a close on Saturday night as the Fairbanks Ice Dogs defeated the Wichita Falls Wildcats in their best of five series 3 games to 1.

            Game 1 is set for Thursday April 17 and Game 2 will be played Friday April 18, both games getting underway at 7:05 pm. Games 3 and 4 are slated for the following Thursday and Friday, April 24 and 25, also at 7:05 pm. If necessary, Game 5 will take place Sunday April 27 at 5:05 pm. Games 3 and 4 will be considered “home games” for Fairbanks, giving them the benefit of the last change in the battle of matching lines on the ice. Game 5 would be a home game for Topeka, the final benefit of true “home ice advantage”.

            Topeka and Fairbanks met only 4 times this season, and they came in the span of 9 days in early February. Topeka won 3 of the 4 games, outscoring the Ice Dogs 20-9 in the process. In franchise history, the RoadRunners are 11-4-3 against Fairbanks, and 6-2-1 at home. However, this season, Fairbanks owns the leagues best road record, going 24-5-1 (.833) away from the Big Dipper (the Ice Dogs home rink) including the playoffs. Topeka’s home record is equally impressive at 23-4-2. (.827)

            The winner of the Topeka – Fairbanks series will advance to the Robertson Cup Finals. The Robertson Cup Finals consists of a round robin tournament that will take place in Chesterfield, MO from April 30 – May 4. Each of the three division winners plus the host will compete. The St. Louis Bandits are the host team and this have an automatic berth. The Mahoning Valley Phantoms will also be there by virtue of clinching at least the runner-up spot. The Central Division will be represented by the winner of the series between the Springfield Jr. Blues and the Alexandria Blizzard.

            Tickets for Games 1, 2, and 5 are on sale now at the Kansas Expocentre Box Office.  Tickets for Games 3 and 4 will be on sale shortly.   

WEB LINKS: