Epic Comeback Lifts Runners To Sweep
The 18-hour bus ride home just got a lot more comfortable for your Topeka RoadRunners. Trailing big in the third and the clock working against them, the Runners fought their way out of the corner to win in overtime 7-6.
Down 4-3 heading into the third, Jake Durflinger capitalized on a power play at 1:20 and scored an even strength goal at 3:33 to complete a hat trick and give the Ice Rays a commanding three point lead. Corpus' Joe Chitwood was whistled for slashing at 5:32 which paved the way for Jake Kamrass' power play goal at 5:48. Six minutes later, Sly Sutter punched in his second goal of the night and the Runners were within one. And with 58 seconds remaining, with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Tyler Poulsen lit the board to send the game into overtime.
In the extra frame, Poulsen stole the puck in the neutral zone and zipped it to Daniel Rzavsky who split the two defensemen and raced to the net for the game winning score. Rzavsky was just one of 10 Runners. Rzavsky's game winning goal was his second point on the night, having assisted Sam Rennaker's first period goal that got the Runners on the board. With the win, the Runners retake sole possession of second place in the South Division.
Runner Ramblings
- Before Friday night, Topeka had not allowed more than five goals in a game all season. Opponents have only scored as many as five goals against the Runners five times.
- Ryan Polin and Tyler Poulsen each had three points on the night. Polin's coming on three assists and Poulsen's on a goal and two assists.
- Neither team's starting goaltender made it to the end of the game in this one. PJ Bridges was pulled midway through the second period while Corpus' Forbes Ploszaj got the hook at 7:22 in the third.
- Tyler Poulsen leap frogged Jake Kamrass in points and now leads the team with 42.
The Runners head to Wichita Falls for two games against the Wildcats next Friday and Saturday night. They return to Landon Arena on February 28th. RoadRunner 2014-2015 season tickets are now on sale. Fans who purchase or renew season tickets on or before February 15th will receive a free ticket to every game this March as part of the RoadRunners March Madness promotion. For more information on this deal and tickets to future games, call 785-286-PUCK or visit www.topekaroadrunners.com.