In the Runners biggest test of the season, the team came up strong and swept the Wichita Falls Wildcats over the weekend to take a nine point lead in the South Division. Forward Jasen Fernsler had an outstanding series, earning the only Star of the Week awarded by Easton while Dominic Lutz received a much deserved honorable mention.
From NAHL.com – In a battle of the top two teams in the standings in the South Division this past weekend, it was the Topeka RoadRunners who came out on top to widen their lead to nine points atop the division with a weekend home sweep of the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Second-year veteran forward Jasen Fernsler, 20, played a big part in the sweep as the native of Charlotte, Michigan, scored four goals in the pair of wins. On Saturday, Fernsler (6’0/168) had Topeka’s second goal of the game in a 3-2 win. On Sunday, Fernsler recorded the first hat-trick of his NAHL career, which also included the game-winning goal in a 7-2 win over the Wildcats. Fernsler was also a +2 for the weekend. For the season, Fernsler leads the RoadRunners in scoring with 34 points in 33 games played and ranks in the Top 10 in NAHL scoring. “We needed players like Jasen to step up when it mattered most and he did that this weekend,” said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. “Wichita Falls is a very good team and anytime you can pick up a sweep against them, you know something has gone right. Jasen continues to remain a consistent and effective performer at both ends of the ice.”
In the series closing 7-2 victory on Sunday night, Dominic Lutz dominated. The first-year RoadRunner staked the team to a two-goal lead with the games first two scores before completing a hat trick early in the third period. Lutz would add an assist on Will Sherer's netter that gave Topeka a crushing 6-1 edge in the game. The four points he posted Sunday was his biggest outburst of the season, pushing his totals to five goals and four assists on the year as well as his first hat trick in the NAHL.
The RoadRunners take on the Wenatchee Wild in a three-game set starting New Year's Day (3pm) at Landon Arena. The series will conclude on Saturday at 7pm with Stars Wars Night. Both teams will be wearing special Star Wars jerseys. The home jerseys will be auctioned off after the game while the road jerseys will be worn at Wenatchee later this season before being made available for auction on-line. The team will also be giving away special lightsaber thunder sticks to the first 500 fans through the doors courtesy of The Spectacle. For more information on tickets, call 785-286-PUCK or visit the Expocentre Box Office