April 25, 2014
Amarillo Bulls 3 @ Topeka RoadRunners 2 (OT) (Topeka leads best of five series, 2-1) - Thanks to a come-from-behind 3-2 win in overtime, the Amarillo Bulls stayed alive in their South Division Finals series against the Topeka RoadRunners on Thursday night. It was the first victory by the Bulls over Topeka in 10 tries and since late November of the regular season. It also forced a fourth game in the Best-Of-Five Series tomorrow (Friday) night at 7:15 pm. If a fifth game of the series is needed, it would be back in Amarillo on Monday night at 7 pm.
The third game started out with good offensive push by both teams. The RoadRunners jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Daniel Rzavsky converted a rebound in front of the net. The Bulls were not without their chances and the best one was for Eric Purcell as his shot was turned away by goaltender PJ Bridges. There were three total power plays with neither team being able to score. Amarillo outshot Topeka 10-9 in the first period.
Topeka extended their lead to 2-0 with a goal 94 seconds into the second period on a one timer from Tyler Poulsen from the top of the face-off circle. The Bulls worked hard and gave themselves a chance when Kyle Gattelaro raced over the blue line and backhanded a shot past PJ Bridges just before the midway mark of the period. Eric Purcell had another terrific opportunity later in the stanza but he was stopped by the glove of Bridges.
The Bulls dominated the third period and threw everything they had at goaltender PJ Bridges. One goal was called back because it was believed the referee had blown his whistle. The visitors continued to work hard and were rewarded for their hard work as Tyler Gernhofer and Roman Ammirato kept the puck in deep. Defenseman Ben Jentsch’s one timer from the point found the back of the net to tie the game with 5:05 remaining in regulation time.
The overtime period featured furious action at both ends of the rink. Topeka’s best chance in front of the net was turned aside by Collin Delia. The Bulls kept the play in at the blue line and Tyler Gernhofer’s hard shot went through a screen and into the net for the victory.
