After a frustrating first three games of the NAHL Showcase, the Topeka RoadRunners finished the four-game stint with a momentum boost.
Behind an outstanding goaltending performance from Emil Gransoe, who finished with 54 saves, Topeka (2-4-0) knocked off the Fairbanks Ice Dogs 4-0 Saturday afternoon.
Fairbanks (3-1-0) had been undefeated entering the contest and peppered Gransoe each period, but he held strong the entire contest.
In the first period, forward Gavin Holland opened the scoring, firing a shot through traffic for a 1-0 lead at the 11:15 mark.
Topeka had a 5-on-3Â powerplay several minutes later, but they could not cash in, ending the game 0-for-4 on the man-advantage.
Topeka did clean up a weak spot from the first three games on Saturday, minimizing goals while shorthanded, keeping Fairbanks without a tally on its seven powerplays.
Early in the second frame, forward Will Schlagenhauf increased the Runners’ lead with a blazing shot, beating goaltender Logan Neaton high on the glove-side.
The score would remain the same for the rest of the second period.
Pouring on the pressure in the third, Fairbanks amassed 20 shots on goal, but Gransoe remained unphased.
Meanwhile, his offensive counterparts gave him some increased breathing room. Forward Nigel Nelson tallied his first goal of the season at 12:06 of the third. After his first shot was blocked, Nelson gathered the puck again and beat Neaton for a 3-0 lead.
An emptynet goal finished off the Ice Dogs at 17:38, with forward Nick Schultze firing it home.
Topeka will now turn its attention to the Shreveport MudBugs, who will head to Landon Arena Sept 29-30. Tickets are available by calling 785-286-7825 or visiting the Expocentre box office.