The Topeka RoadRunners scored early on Sunday afternoon at Landon Arena.
Unfortunately, this would be all they could generate for scoring in the contest, falling 3-1 at Landon Arena.
Lone Star (33-8-1) scored all three of its goals in the second period, and Topeka (13-25-4) could not recover in the final frame.
“Our game was flat, and we didn’t stick to the game plan we talked about,” RoadRunners head coach Josh Kamrass.
In Saturday’s game, the Runners maintained pace with the Brahmas much of the contest, but Sunday was a different story, being outshot 32-13.
“When we’re playing the game the right way, we have fun and we have success,” Kamrass said. “It’s time to understand that doing things the right way gives you results, and doing things the wrong way can’t happen.”
On Topeka’s first shot of the game, they grabbed the lead Sunday afternoon at 5:34 of the first period.
After a giveaway behind the net, Carmel, Ind. native Will Schlagenhauf threw the puck in front, deflecting off a Brahmas’ player and into the net, for a 1-0 lead. Forward Max Harper got the assist on the play, his 12th of the season.
Despite difficulty generating offensive pressure, Topeka carried its slim lead into first intermission. Lone Star outshot Topeka 10-4 in the first period, but goaltender Ryan Snowden was strong in net.
A Brahmas goal halfway through the second period evened the game. Forward Hunter Stanley found himself alone after a nice pass from forward Jack Zielinksi and deked past Snowden, tying it at one.
Just over a minute later, at 10:35, Stanley struck again, beating Snowden low stick side, giving Lone Star a 2-1 lead.
Topeka had its chances on the powerplay in the second period, but they were unable to convert on both attempts.
A late period goal put the RoadRunners in a tough spot for the third period, with forward Anton Rubtsov scoring his first goal of the season at 19:39, putting Topeka down 3-1 entering the third period.
Topeka mustered only nine shots on goal through the first two periods, while Lone Star countered with 23.
The third period was not fortuitous to Topeka, as they could not mount a comeback against a stout Brahmas defense.
Topeka will now play a long stretch of road games, not returning home until April 7-9.
“We’ve got to win a lot of games down the stretch to give ourselves an opportunity,” Kamrass said. “There’s no quit to our team. It’s in our tradition and history, and we’re going to battle till the end.”