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TOPEKA RUNS OUT OF ROAD, FALLING IN SEMI-FINAL ROUND
(CHESTERFIELD, MO) - The Topeka RoadRunners came in blazing to the Robertson Cup Tournament, winning both of their first two games, but their record-setting season came to a close in a 5-2 loss to the Mahoning Valley Phantoms on Saturday afternoon.
Despite their fourth game in as many days and coming off a quick turnaround after playing on Friday night, the RoadRunners played their game on Saturday afternoon, scoring first on a power play set up nicely by Josh Kamrass who fed a crisp pass across to Matt Hartmann on the back door for a 1-0 lead. The second period, though dominated by Topeka in terms of shots and pressure, found the Phantoms sneaking ahead with a 2-1 lead on a pair of goals by Derek Graham. Still wrapped in a 1-goal game, the third period brought a visibly fatigued RoadRunner team who drained the tank, leaving it all on the ice as they again outshot the Phantoms, but Kurt Washnock flipped in his 1st goal of the playoffs followed by a pretty Miles Winter goal set up by Chad Boeckman making it a 4-1 lead. With nothing to lose, Topeka pulled the goaltender on a powerplay late in the game and Josh Kamrass snapped a sharp wrister past Garrett Bartus to make it 4-2 with 3:02 still to play. The 'Runners continued to push, but Mahoning Valley finally sealed the win with an empty netter that was pitchforked from the far end of the rink on a desperation clear that provided the 5-2 final. Mahoning Valley earned the right to face St. Louis for the second year in a row in the Robertson Cup Championship game, while the RoadRunners shook hands and reflected back on an incredible season in their new home.
The Phantoms would go on to lose to St. Louis, 5-2 in the Championship game.
