BLAINE, Minn. – The Minnesota Wilderness broke open a close game with a three-goal third period Friday morning and skated to a 6-2 victory over the Topeka RoadRunners in the third game of the NAHL Showcase at Schwan Super Rinks.
The RoadRunners, now 2-1 at the Showcase and 2-4 overall in NAHL play, finish the showcase with a noon game Saturday against league newcomer Northeast Generals.
The Wilderness rode the hot goaltending of Trevor Micucci, who finished with 30 saves and was named the game’s No. 1 star. Micucci came up big, especially in the third period when the RoadRunners pumped 17 shots on goal.
Topeka forward Jeff Makowski scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season just 1:38 into the contest, finishing off a nifty pass on the power play. Isaac Cirinna and Jake Rosenbaum assisted on the goal.
The Wilderness, however, responded two minutes later as Ryan Peterson fired a shot that deflected off a body in front of Topeka goaltender Ryan Snowden to tie the game.
Minnesota then raced to a 3-1 lead with a pair of goals in the second period, and after RoadRunner forward Peyton Frantti made it a 3-2 game early in the third, the Wilderness pulled away with three goals in a 10-minute span.
The RoadRunners finished with a 33-32 edge in shots on goal.