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'RUNNERS NAB OPENING NIGHT WIN
Edgars Lipsbergs (10) takes the opening faceoff for Topeka in Friday nights Home Opener. Topeka won, 4-3 in a shootout.
(TOPEKA, KS) - The Topeka RoadRunners dominated their South Division rival Springfield Jr. Blues, outshooting them 46-22 but still needing a shootout and some late heroics to claim the win.
NAHL Commissioner Mark Frankenfeld was on hand to drop the ceremonial puck, and also to assist in the unveiling of three new banners representing the teams accomplishments.
(The RoadRunners accomplishments are commemorated with banners hanging in Landon Arena.)
Springfield tried to ruin the party, scoring first as Brian Prost drove the net and the puck somehow slipped under Lyle Rocker as he moved right to left. Topeka trailed 1-0 for the first time this season, but it didn't last long, as :37 seconds later Colin Smith had a shot spring back off the goalie, and bounce off a Jr. Blues defensemen and in to tie the game at 1-1. In the second period, Jordan George deftly swatted a rebound out of mid-air and through the legs of Jr. Blues goalie Matt Wichorek for a 2-1 lead. Springfield battled back as Jon Bobb easily hammered home a wide open rebound on the powerplay to tie it at 2-2. In the third, Springfield retook the lead as Mike Schaber buried his own rebound for a 3-2 edge. With time winding down, Topeka spent their time out. They set their plan to pull Rocker for the extra attacker, but he never made it to the bench. He never needed to. As soon as the 'Runners had gained the zone, Andrew Blazek on the left wing sent a gorgeous sauce pass to Jordan George who finished it to tie the game at 3-3, sending the Kansas Expocentre crowd into a frenzy. In overtime, Topeka had some great opportunities but this game would be decided in a shootout.
(above: Jordan George #20 celebrates as his goal ties the game with just 1:05 left to play in regulation.)
Springfield's first shooter scored and Topeka's Jordan George was denied but then the tables turned. The next three Jr. Blues were turned aside by Lyle Rocker and all three RoadRunners (Travis Stevens, Alec Hagaman, and Steve Shafer) buried their shots for the come-from-behind win.
Steve Shafer (#17) fires the puck through the proverbial 5-hole, clinching the win in the shootout.
Topeka (5-0-0) and Springfield (2-2-1) meet again on Saturday night at Landon Arena, and the game will be webcast live on B2 Networks.
