RoadRunners Come Up Big in Opener 2-1
Nothing starts the regular season off better than a win and that’s exactly what the RoadRunners rewarded their fans with at Landon Arena Friday night. Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast dropped the first puck and the players did the rest. Visiting Corpus Christi jumped out to an early lead which the RoadRunners quickly erased, holding on for a crowd pleasing 2-1 victory.
Ice Ray forward Danny Middleton gave Corpus the early edge with an unassisted netter at 14:40 of the first period. Less than two minutes later, second-year RoadRunner vet Tyler Poulsen lit up the scoreboard, tying the game at one-a-piece at 16:26 and into the first intermission (assisted by Phillip Middleton).
The game remained stalemated deep into the second period when Jerad Tafoya notched his first goal of the young season thanks to an assist from James Ring at 16:28. The RoadRunners would hold the Ice Rays the rest of the way due in no small part to the great play in net by new goalie, Drew Vogler. The RoadRunners were outshot 33-14 over the course of the game, 32 of which were denied by the first-year RoadRunner.
“It’s always a positive to get the first one of the season,” said RoadRunners Head Coach Scott Langer. “We will build on the positives from tonight and take them into the rest of the weekend.”
The RoadRunners and Ice Rays do battle again Saturday night at Landon Arena (7pm start). The first 350 fans through the door will receive a commemorative puck courtesy of Kurt Young and the Official Host Hotel of the Topeka RoadRunners, Super 8 at Forbes Landing. The RoadRunners will have a short turnaround and play the Odessa Jackalopes on Monday, September 16th, at 6:30pm. Monday night will be Receipt Night at Landon Arena, courtesy of Chick-Fil-A. Buy a child’s ticket to Monday night’s game, save the stub, and redeem it for a free child’s ticket on September 28th when the RoadRunners take on the Springfield Jr. Blues. For more information on tickets, call 785-286-PUCK or visit the Expocentre Box Office.