Saturday Scores: Christie fuels RoadRunners to weekend sweep
Topeka 4 @ Corpus Christi 1 – On the strength of a 4-1 win at the American Bank Center, the Topeka RoadRunners swept the Corpus Christi IceRays to keep pace with the leaders in the South Division. Topeka took the lead 7:09 into the first period as Ryan White was denied by Anthony Stolarz on a breakaway, however Dan Dupell picked up the rebound and tapped it past Stolarz for the 1-0 lead. Brian Christie scored his third goal in two games at the 19:50 mark of the first period to give Topeka a 2-0 lead after the first period. Only one goal was scored in the second period and that was by Sean Gaffney of the Roadrunners. Gaffney recorded a power-play goal just 3:49 into the period to increase the lead 3-0. The second period also saw three fights on consecutive face-offs as Danny Fetzer, Ladislav Hruska, and Greg Chapman all got five minutes for fighting. In the third period Trace Strahle scored 4:25 into the period giving the Roadrunners a 4-0 advantage. Corpus Christi avoided the shutout as Joe Smereck scored a power-play goal during a five minute major penalty pulling the IceRays within three goals, 3-1. Anthony Stolarz stopped 26 of 40 shots in the loss, while Peter Traber stopped 26 shots in the win for the RoadRunners. Boxscore
Texas 5 @ New Mexico 4 (SO) – The Mustangs erased a 4-0 Tornado lead to earn a point, but ultimately fell in a shootout, 5-4. Tornado newcomer Jake Strzalkowski had two points as did Jack Prince. Adam Chapie scored twice in the shootout loss for the Mustangs. Boxscore
Amarillo 4 @ Fresno 2 – The Bulls took three of four points on the weekend as they completed a 4-2 win on Saturday led by Brooks Behling’s goal and assist. After trading goals through two periods, the Bulls took over the game in the 3rd period with goals from Darren McCormick and Brandon Lubin. Boxscore
Kenai River 4 @ Alaska 5 – Gage Christianson completed a multi-point game with the game-winning goal with less than five minutes remaining in the 3rd period as the 1st place Avalanche increased their West Division lead with a weekend sweep of 2nd place Kenai River. Brandon Brossoit had three points in the Avs win. Boxscore
Dawson Creek 4 @ Wenatchee 3 (OT) – Despite being outshot 38-18, the Rage defeated Wenatchee thanks to Austin Adduono’s overtime winner. Ryan Matthews had two goals and an assist in the winning effort for Dawson Creek, while Shaun Pauly had a hat-trick for Wenatchee. Boxscore
Bismarck 4 @ Minot 3 (SO) – Despite 47 saves from Jake Hebda, the Minotauros fell in a shootout to the Bobcats, who completed the weekend road sweep. Defenseman Donald Olivieri, had a goal and an assist in the win and also scored in the shootout. Nick Miglio also had a goal and assist for Bismarck. Boxscore
Coulee Region 1 @ Aberdeen 2 (OT) – Steve Obarzanek’s game-winner :21 seconds into overtime gave the Wings a weekend sweep of the Chill. Obarzanek’s goal was his 21st of the season, which is tied for the league lead. Frederick Leisner had 33 saves in the win, while Aaron Davis made 42 saves in the OT loss for Coulee Region. Boxscore
Wichita Falls 1 @ Odessa 2 – Lawrence Cornellier’s goal with :05 seconds remaining in the game was the difference as the Jackalopes salvaged a weekend split at home with Wichita Falls. Connor Hellebuyck was again the star in goal for Odessa, making 39 saves in the win. Boxscore
Alexandria 3 @ Austin 9 – The Bruins scored five goals in the 1st period and never looked back as they beat the Blizzard 9-3, completing a weekend sweep. Colton Kramer had a four-point night, which included a hat-trick. Charlie Adams, Christian Folin and Trevor Waldoch all chipped in with three point nights. Boxscore
Kalamazoo 3 @ Traverse City 5 – Jared Van Wormer had a goal and two assists as Traverse City defeated Kalamazoo 5-3 on Saturday. Robert Wiener’s goal in the 3rd period gave the North Stars the breathing room they needed as they closed to within three points of the 2nd place Jr. K-Wings. Boxscore
Springfield 4 @ St. Louis 1 – Kevin Walters, Ethan Nauman and Gavin Tufte all had multi-point games as the Jr. Blues picked up a big road win in St. Louis. Tyler Parks made 19 saves in the win for Springfield. Frank Dichiara had the lone goal in the loss for the Bandits. Boxscore
