The Topeka RoadRunners avenged last years 3-0 loss to Motor City in the Showcase by handing them a 4-0 defeat on Thursday afternoon in Blaine, MN.
The RoadRunners dominated the first period, outshooting the Metal Jackets 23-5, scoring twice 1:16 apart. The first goal was set up by Dan Dupell who fired a shot across the goal line from the left wing boards that Brian Christie tipped in for a 1-0 lead at 13:13. Then at 14:29 Justin Hussar drove home his third of the young season, a sharp wrister assisted by Michael Hill and Topeka led 2-0 after 1.
The second period wasn't nearly as strong, but not nearly as bad as it had been the night before against Alexandria. Motor City outshot Topeka 13-10, but neither side scored and it was still 2-0 after 40 minutes.
In the third, Topeka began on a powerplay and needed just :10 seconds for Kevin Novakovich to make it a 3-0 game, assisted by Michael Hill and Jordan Davis. Then for good measure, Nate Milam picked the top corner with a slick wrister at 12:28 set up by Justin Hussar. The Motor City goaltender made 40 saves in a losing effort, and Topeka's Rasmus Tirronen stopped all 23 shots he faced for the shutout win.
Topeka (2-0-0) faces the Alaska Avalanche (2-2-0) at 10:00 am on Friday. The RoadRunners are 19-3-2 against the Avalanche all time, or 29-4-2 dating back to the Avalanche prior incarnations as the Wasilla Spirit and the Springfield (MO) Spirit. The teams have never met in the Showcase.