Topeka storms back, wins 4-1

Richard Kelly

The Topeka RoadRunners gave up more goals on Saturday night than their last three games combined.

Yet considering they had notched three straight shutouts, it only took one goal to accomplish that feat.

And that’s all they gave up.

With goaltender Peter Traber on fire and the rest of the team also firing on all cylinders, Topeka (23-11-2) knocked off the St. Louis Bandits 4-1 behind four third period goals, including a natural hat trick from forward Dan Dupell.

Dupell, who also had a goal in Friday’s 4-0 victory, leads the team with 17 goals. He has scored five goals in his last three games.

The game was scoreless until 17:59 of the second period when St. Louis forward Joseph Birmingham scored on the powerplay. The goal ended Peter Traber’s scoreless stream at 207 minutes and 59 seconds.

But Dupell singlehandedly brought Topeka back, scoring his first goal at 6:31 of the third period. He would fire the gamewinning shot past St. Louis goalie Tyler Green at 11:17. He finished off the hat trick at 16:26 while Topeka was on the powerplay. Forward Linus Johannson then finished off the scoring at 18:52 with an empty net goal.

Traber stopped 22 of 23 shots in the contest to improve to 13-5-3 on the season. Green saved 31 of 34 shots in the defeat.

Topeka now travels to Amarillo, Tex. to face the Amarillo Bulls this weekend before enjoying a six-game homestand.