After seeing a franchise record 11-game win streak snapped on home ice Friday night, the Topeka RoadRunners bounced back with a solid effort on Saturday, posting a 5-2 win over the Springfield Jr. Blues.
When the \’Runners went on a 4:00 minute double minor power play just 1:25 into the game, they pounced quickly. Tony Thomas buried a rebound at 2:53 and then assisted Edgars Lipsbergs who put Topeka up 2-0 at 3:49. The \’Runners outshot Springfield 11-2 in the first period.
In the second period, Bryce Johnson buried a blast at 3:09 that Thomas assisted on as well, giving Topeka a 3-0 lead. The Jr. Blues poked home a loose puck at 13:28 but at 16:54 Lipsbergs struck again, forcing a turnover by way of a strong backcheck, then muscling the puck off the right wing boards and hammering home a shot to give the \’Runners a 3-goal cushion once again.
In the third period, Tony Thomas stuffed home his second of the game, a 5-on-3 power play goal set up by Lipsbergs and Ryan White for a 5-1 lead at 3:01 of the frame. Springfield added a 5-on-3 power play goal of their own when Matt Kinman rifled home a shot from the point at 9:44 but the 5-2 margin stood at the end of the game. Cooper Frederick picked up the win stopping 21 of 23 shots, improving to 9-3-1 and 9th in the NAHL in GAA (2.41).
Topeka (29-6-3) will host the St. Louis Bandits (28-5-1) for two games this weekend. Friday is College Night, as well as Dollar Beer Night, sponsored by Strathman Sales.