Cats Swept In Runner Town 2-1
Keeping pace with first-place Amarillo, Topeka came into this series looking to make the leap to second in the South against Wichta Falls. Two wins later, the RoadRunners now own second place outright after completing the sweep 2-1.
Topeka struck quickly in the first courtesy of a breakaway led by Peter Halash (assisted by Jake Kamrass and Tyler Poulsen at 1:41) who took a last second feed in front of the net and slipped it by David Zevnik to make it 1-0 Runners. After a Clint Garris hooking call, the Wildcats would even things up with a power play goal by Ben Kucera and the score went to intermission 1-1.
A scoreless second fed into the third when Philip Middleton became the hero, finding the net at 6:29 for the game winner (assisted by Sly Sutter and Jasen Fernsler). Thus completing the sweep and moving a point ahead of the Wildcats in the standings, four points behind the Amarillo Bulls.
Another hero of the weekend was PJ Bridges who continued to stand on his head in net, stopping 24 of 25 shots on the night and 63 of 64 on the weekend. In his five-game winning streak, Bridges has only allowed three goals on 124 shots. For the Runners, the goal scored by the Wildcats in the first period was the first goal they had allowed in regulation in the last four games.
The RoadRunners take a week off before heading to Springfield to take on the Junior Blues. All RoadRunner away games can be viewed at Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant. Every game this season is also broadcast on Sports Radio 1490 KTOP and on mobile devices with the iHeartRadio app. Topeka returns on Saturday, January 25 to play the Lone Star Brahmas. For more information on tickets, call 785-286-PUCK or visit www.topekaroadrunners.com.