Runners Outlasted by Odessa 3-2
Three games, 13 goals, and only three goals allowed resulted in four points in the standings for the Topeka RoadRunners this weekend. The only blemish on an otherwise strong series against the Jackalopes occurred Saturday night where, despite a constant barrage of shots in the closing minutes, Odessa was able to hold on and win 3-2.
A scoreless first ended with the Runners on a penalty kill which bled into the second and that’s when the Jackalopes took advantage, scoring 45 seconds into the period (Ian Mansfield assisted by Leo Lumm and Razmuz Waxin-Engback) to take a 1-0 lead. Jasen Fernsler retaliated at 4:19 (assisted by Sam Rennaker) to tie the score and later fed the puck to Cody Champagne (at 16:12) to take the lead 2-1 going into the third.
In the final frame, Odessa’s Connor Thie found the net to even the score at 1:49. Jake Kreutzer gave the Jackalopes the lead with his goal at 13:13, leaving it up to goaltender Eric Hancock to maintain the slim one-goal margin. Topeka was relentless in the closing minutes and, with the final seconds ticking off the clock, fought for control of a loose puck in front of Hancock but were unable to punch it in before the horn sounded. On the night, Hancock stopped 39 of 41 pucks to claim the victory for Odessa.
The RoadRunners return to Landon Arena this Friday night (7pm) to take on the Amarillo Bulls during RoadRunner Family Weekend. The Topeka Capitals will be in town as well, hosting the Dallas Junior Stars starting Saturday afternoon at 3pm. The Caps game will be the first of a double-header that will conclude with the Runners and Bulls at 7pm that night. For more information on tickets, call 785-286-PUCK or visit www.topekaroadrunners.com.