RoadRunners Outlast Tomahawks 6-5
A back and forth contest led to the RoadRunners first overtime and shoot out of the season, ending in 6-5 victory over the Johnstown Tomahawk.
Johnstown took the early lead late in the first with a goal from Brandon Reinholz at 18:44. In the second, Tyler Poulsen would tie things up at 13:14 only to see Shane Bernard answer with a goal of his own 21 seconds later. Tyler Groat (at 14:40) and Tomas Nechala (at 18:39) then completely flipped the momentum of the game with a couple of scores sending the Tomahawks into the third trailing by one.
Jerad Tafoya and Peter Halash both piled on with goals early in the third (1:15 and 3:42 respectively), seemingly putting the game out of reach. But Johnstown would not go away quietly. Three goals in less than three minutes tied the game (by Reinholz, Watt, and Cuckovich) and sent the proceedings into overtime 5-5.
With neither team able to find the net in the overtime period, the RoadRunners sent James Ring to the line for the first opportunity in the shoot out. He scored. As did Poulsen and Mike Gornall while goaltender Blake Wojtala denied every attempt by Johnstown, giving the RoadRunners a hard earned 6-5 victory.
Tomorrow the Runners take on the Soo Eagles at 1:30pm and, on Saturday, wrap up their part of the Showcase with a game against the Aberdeen Wings. Catch all of the action live on Sports Radio 1490 KTOP or listen on your mobile device with the iHeartRadio app.
The RoadRunners return to Topeka on Friday, Sept. 27th, to host two games against the Springfield Jr. Blues. Saturday night's game will feature a youth jersey giveaway sponsored by Pella Windows, Lynette Hudson State Farm Insurance, Vision Bank, and the Kansas Expocentre. As always, if the RoadRunners draw over 5,000 people at either game that weekend, one lucky fan will become $5,000 richer courtesy of Sharp Honda. And on Monday, Sept. 30th, the RoadRunners hold their Inaugural Golf Scramble at Western Hills Golf Course. For more information on how to be a part of the RoadRunners Golf Scramble or for tickets to upcoming RoadRunners games, call 785-286-PUCK or visit www.topekaroadrunners.com.