RoadRunners gallop past Mustangs

Richard Kelly

The Topeka RoadRunners started their seven-game roadtrip on the right foot Thursday night.

Topeka (32-8-3) took a 2-1 lead into the third period, but erupted with four goals in a frenzied third period, defeating the New Mexico Mustangs 6-3.

Justin Hussar started the scoring for the RoadRunners, with a powerplay goal at 7:45 of the first period. Hussar struck again at the 12 minute mark to increase the ‘Runners lead to 2-0. Topeka held a 13-9 shot advantage going into the second period.

New Mexico (12-29-3) cut the lead in half as Adam Chapie found the back of the net at 2:12 mark of the second period. However, this would be the only goal of the period. The RoadRunners and Mustangs both took 10 shots on goal in the period.

In the first 10 minutes of the third period, the two teams each scored two goals, beginning with Topeka’s Brian Christie at 2:52. However, Patrick Anderson cut the lead to 3-2 with a powerplay goal at 4:13. The ‘Runners responded with a shorthanded goal from Joe Van Antwerp at the 5:13 mark to push Topeka back to a two-goal lead. The Mustangs again cut the lead to one goal at 9:03 but two Daniel Dupell goals at 11:33 and 15:30 put Topeka back in the driver’s seat.

The game would end with only five infractions for Topeka and four for New Mexico, in a fairly clean game. Topeka’s Andrew White did receive a spearing double minor and game ejection in the third period.

This was Topeka’s first game in New Mexico since they moved from Sante Fe to Topeka in 2007.

Eric Rohrkemper made 20 saves for the RoadRunners in the victory as Marco Weiser made 21 of 26 saves and Lukas Hernandez stopped four of five shots in a losing effort.

The two teams tangle again. Faceoff is 8:30 p.m. central time.