The Topeka RoadRunners ended the weekend on a high note.
After a third period letdown spoiled Friday night’s performance, Topeka battled Saturday and picked up a hard-fought overtime victory, beating the Springfield Jr. Blues 3-2.
Forward Alex Frye tallied the game-winner at 3:25 of the sudden death frame beating goaltender Mike Robinson. Defenseman Jay Keranen and forward Marshall Bowery received credit for the assists.
For Frye, it was his 13th goal of the season and his first goal since December 31st.
Topeka (16-29-5) started fast Saturday, with a 23-9 first period shot advantage.
It was Springfield (23-23-3) who drew first blood, however, with defenseman Chase Mickelson notching his fourth goal of the season at 11:15.
Bowery equalized the score before the first intermission, with his unassisted goal at 18:53 evening the game at one.
A short-lived lead put Springfield up 2-1 at 4:56 of the second stanza. Forward Brandon Puricelli found the back of the net, for his 12th goal of the year.
Forward Max Harper, Topeka’s goal-scoring leader, tallied his 21st goal of the season at 9:17 of the second period to knot it up at two. Defenseman Matthew Barnes received credit for an assist on the play, along with Bowery, giving him a goal and two assists on the night.
Springfield had three powerplay opportunities in the third period, including a lengthy 5-on-3 powerplay, but they could not cash in, as goaltender Ryan Snowden stopped 13 shots on goal in the frame.
Snowden was strong in net, stopping 39 of 41 shots on the night, while Robinson stopped 43 of 46.
Topeka now heads north, with a trek to Soldotna, Alaska for a series with the Kenai River Brown Bears from March 16-18.