Big Win

Nov 15, 2014

The Topeka Roadrunners were 15-0 this season when scoring first heading into tonight’s game against the Springfield Jr. Blues.

Now, they’re 15-1.

The Blues eeked out a gutty 3-2 win over the Runners to sweep the two-game series and climb back to a .500 record Saturday night at the Nelson Center.

Topeka went up 1-0 on a goal by Carlos Fornaris just 4 minutes and 39 seconds into the opening period. Mike Gornall won a faceoff in the Springfield zone, with the puck going right to Fornaris who wristed one home from the right circle past Springfield goalie Dryden McKay.

McKay, making his third consecutive start, had another strong night, stopping 46 Topeka shots.

Springfield would tie it later in the first period. It appeared Michael Crowley tapped in a loose puck that sat in the blue paint off a centering pass from the end boards, although the official scoresheet lists Brady Tomlak as the goalscorer evening it up at the end of the 1st.

The teams exchanged goals in the second period. Lester Lancaster scored a highlight power play goal for Springfield, followed less than 90 seconds later by a response goal by Sam Rennaker for the Roadrunners.

The Blues took the lead in the third at the 14:03 thanks to another power play goal. Lupo slammed it in on the near side past Topeka goalie Drew Vogler putting for the game winning goal.

Springfield swept its second straight home series. The Jr. Blues have won six of their last seven to improve to 10-10 on the year.

The Roadrunners, coming into this weekend as the best team in the NAHL, fall to 15-5-2. Opposite an 8-0 home record is a less-than-stellar 7-5-2 road record for the Roadrunners, who will now begin a 14-game homestand that will continue into January.

Springfield has a rare Thursday game against Keystone coming up. We’ll have the game on FastHockey.

 

-Jim McCabe

Staff Writer