Topeka takes final game from New Mexico

Richard Kelly

The Topeka RoadRunners didn’t take long to show they didn’t want to get shut out two nights in a row.

Following a 1-0 defeat on Friday, Topeka (33-9-3) came out firing, scoring three first period goals on their way to a 5-2 victory over the New Mexico Mustangs.

Justin Hussar started the scoring at the 4:02 mark to give the RoadRunners an early lead. Kyle Sharkey found the back of the net on a powerplay at 7:34 to make it 2-0. Newly acquired Jake Lynes picked up his first point, adding an assist on the goal.

Topeka’s Michael Hill added his 32nd goal of the season at 14:14 to make it 3-0. The RoadRunners outshot the Mustangs 17-6 during the first frame.

Hill added another goal at the 4:14 mark of the second period before New Mexico (13-30-3) got on the board 45 seconds later on a goal from James Poston. But, the rest of the period remained scoreless, as Topeka took a 28-10 shot advantage into second intermission.

Charles Baldwin made it 4-2 at 2:11 of the third period, however, the Mustangs would get no closer as Bob Marx pushed Topeka’s lead to 5-2 late in the third period.

Eric Rohrkemper picked up the victory, stopping 15 of 17 shots. The RoadRunners play the Springfield (Ill.) Jr. Blues this Friday and Saturday, as they continue their seven-game road trip. Faceoff is at 7:05 p.m.