CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Topeka RoadRunners completed the sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays, 9-4, on Saturday night at the American Bank Center. The game featured 166 combined penalty minutes and combined eight special teams goals. With the win, Topeka is now on a four-game winning streak and is 23-8-2 (48 points). The loss is the fifth in the row for the IceRays who are now 13-20-2 (28 points) on the season. The game was the longest game of the season for Corpus Christi as it surpassed the three-hour mark.
Brandon Marshall tallied his first goal of the season for Corpus Christi in the loss.
Topeka scored three special teams goals, two on the power play and one shorthanded to take a 3-0 lead in the first period. The power-play goals were tallied by Joe Van Antwerp (2, 2:51) and Jordan Davis (8, 4:55) to give Topeka the 2-0 lead. Nate Milam (12) scored his third goal in as many games, 15:09 into the period, on the penalty kill as he beat Pheonix Copley on the blocker side to give Topeka a 3-0 lead. Corpus Christi landed themselves on the scoreboard with an even-strength goal from Brandon Marshall (1) at the 16:33 mark as he stole a puck in the attacking zone and sniped past Eric Rohrkemper to cut the deficit to two, 3-1.
The ‘Runners put the game out of reach in the second period with six goals. Davis, Van Antwerp, James Ring, Kyle Sharkey, and Trevor Campbell each tallied to give Topeka nine goals after two periods of play. The IceRays tallied once on the power play when Jordan Miller’s wrist shot beat Rohrkemper for his third goal of the season. The score was 9-2 after two periods of play. Shots were 18-7 in favor of Topeka.
The third period featured two IceRays tallies and a pair of lengthy delays due to fights and physical play on the ice. Jake Diamond (6) and Josh Obregon (5) each scored for the IceRays in the period to make the final score, 9-4. Fights and delays marred the end of the game which capped the final combined penalty minutes total at 166. Marshall fought Topeka tough guy Alex Vasquez in an entertaining bout at just over the 16-minute mark. Topeka went 5-10 on the power play while the IceRays went 2-9 with the man advantage. Final shots were 46-23 in favor of the ‘Runners.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
- Jordan Davis (2-1-3)
- Andrew O’Leary (0-3-3)
- Joe Van Antwerp (2-0-2, +3)
The IceRays return to action next Friday, January 14th at 7:05 as they take on the New Mexico Mustangs. Fans can catch the pre-game show on the flagship home of the IceRays, News/Talk 1440 KEYS, www.1440KEYS.com, with the voice of the IceRays, Ryan Holt, beginning at 6:50 PM. The game will be available online through the league’s pay-per-view website, www.fasthockey.com. For more information call the Rays’ front office at 361.814.PUCK (7825) or crash the net at www.goicerays.com.
“THE NEW ICERAYS…TOMORROW’S STARS”