TOPEKA, KANSAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays failed to score on Saturday night as the Topeka RoadRunners picked up a 4-0 shutout backed by two power-play goals in front of 1,889 fans at Landon Arena.
In the first period while short-handed, Eric Purcell blocked a shot that came from the point and went in on a breakaway but was denied by goaltender Drew Vogler and the teams remained scoreless. In the first period both sides would get back-to-back power-plays but failed to convert while having very few chances to tally a goal.
In the second period Topeka would break the ice at 6:05 as Clint Garris let a rocket go that went over the shoulder of IceRays netminder Ben Myers for a 1-0 lead. The goal was initially waved off by referee Sean Fernandez but after a lengthy delay, it was overturned and ruled a goal. The only assist was handed to Jason Fernsler.
After a scrum in front of the net Corpus Christi ended up on the penalty-kill and the RoadRunners took advantage. After a Mike Gornall shot that was stopped by Myers, Peter Halash fired the rebound into the net for a power-play goal with just 16 seconds left in the second period.
In the final period, Topeka added two more goals that started with Tyler Poulson picking up his second goal in two nights assisted by Ryan Polin just 4:19 into the third to move the RoadRunners out to a 3-0 lead.
While on the power-play with 11:10 left to go in the game Tomas Nechala tallied his first of the year beating Ben Myers with assists by James Ring and Cody Champagne.
The IceRays put 16 shots on net and Topeka goaltender Drew Vogler denied all of them while Ben Myers stopped 23 of 27 shots.
The IceRays are on the road at the NAHL Showcase this Wednesday against Minot. Puck drops at 10:30AM, coverage begins at 10:15AM with the IceRays Pregame Show! The entire NAHL Showcase can be heard on sportsjuice.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and the “Listen Live” link on the IceRays website! Video is also available at fasthockey.com.
Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.goicerays.com. In addition stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/corpuschristiicerays), Twitter (@goicerays), and the team’s Youtube channel ICERAYS TV (@goicerays)
