CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Topeka RoadRunners came to play on Thursday night as they defeated the Corpus Christi IceRays 4-0, backed by two power-play goals and a 20 save effort from goaltender PJ Bridges inside the American Bank Center.
After back and forth action to start the weeknight game, it was Topeka getting on the board late in the first period. Mike Gornall took a pass from Cody Champagne and moved down the right wing boards walking right through the IceRays defense backhanding a pass right to an awaiting Sly Sutter who one-timed the puck over the right leg pad of Ben Myers for a 1-0 lead with 2:46 left in the opening frame. Assists went to Gornall and Champagne on Sutter’s 7th goal on the year.
At the end of the period a scrum erupted which brought Luke Bennett off the bench to engage in a fight. He was given 20 minutes in penalty minutes and ejected from the game. The IceRays faced a 5min penalty kill that carried over after the intermission.
In the second period the penalties continued. However, there was a couple goals scored as well by the visiting RoadRunners. Daniel Rzavsky took the puck inside his offensive left wing circle and surprised goaltender Ben Myers with a low shot that beat him on the right side sneaking between the blocker and the right post. The goal came at 5:43 of the period two with the only assist going to Sam Rennaker for a 2-0 ‘Runner lead.
After Luke McDiarmid took the second five minute penalty for the IceRays of the game, a fluke goal on the power-play gave Topeka a three goal lead late in the second period. A shot taken by Jake Kamrass was deflected at the hash marks and went up in the air, fluttering over the left shoulder of Myers and under the cross bar for a 3-0 Topeka lead with only 2:19 left before the intermission. Assists went to Jared Tafoya and Tyler Poulsen.
Topeka added to the lead with yet another power-play tally and this one came from below the goal line. The original shot was taken and stopped by Ben Myers however the rebound trickled to the end wall behind the net. Jasen Fernsler picked it up and fired it behind Myers, caroming off the inside of his leg and into the net for a 4-0 lead just 1:42 into the period. Sutter and Andrew Roye added assists.
Ben Myers denied 29 of 33 shots on net.
The IceRays finish out the regular season series with the Topeka RoadRunners tomorrow night inside American Bank Center for Frosty Friday! Get $1 beer and soda!. Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, and video via fasthockey.com. Click LISTEN LIVE for more broadcast information.
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)
