The Topeka RoadRunners will play a Monday night regular season game for the first time since moving to Kansas in 2007, and it just so happens to be the Home Opener for the 2012-13 season. The 'Runners welcome the Odessa Jackalopes for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff on Monday, September 17.
The RoadRunners are coming off a strong season in which they fought through adversity to reach the South Division Finals. After two excellent offseason camps, the RoadRunners feel they have built an even more formidable team for the 2012-2013 season.
“We’re excited to finally be getting back to playing hockey again,” said Donald Stone III, Vice President of Operations. “It’s been a long, hot summer and it’s about time we got our amazing fans back in the building.”
Last season, in their first season of play in the NAHL, the "Jacks" overcame some early season growing pains and roared into the playoffs with a strong finish to the year anchored by NHL Draft Pick Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets, 5th Rd.) Topeka won all four head to head meetings last season, including the final two games of the season in Topeka where the 'Runners battled for (and earned) a second place finish and home ice in the first playoff round.
The Jackalopes franchise has been around since 1997 when they began play in the WPHL. In 2001 they merged with the CHL where they remained until 2011. The Jackalopes obtained the NAHL franchise in Owatonna, MN (Owatonna Express) and relocated them to the Permian Basin. Odessa can return three of their top five forwards and their top two defensemen among others from last year’s club.
"They are well coached and dangerous", said Topeka's Head Coach/GM Scott Langer. "It should be an exciting game."
Tickets for the Home Opener and all RoadRunner games are available at the Expocentre Box Office.
Group packages are available in the RoadRunners Office or by calling 785-286-7825.