 "Photo: Chris Hamm")
With another solid overall weekend of hockey on the road, the Topeka RoadRunners now can look ahead to a homestand.
Despite losing the Friday night match 4-3 to the Springfield Jr. Blues, the ‘Runners (17-4-3) bounced back Saturday night erupting for four straight goals after being down 2-1 to defeat the Jr. Blues (11-11-4) 5-2. Team leaders in points Cole Schneider and Erik Higby both had three points in the Saturday match and each also had a point in the Friday game. They currently sit tied for the North American Hockey League tenth place spot in points on the season with 25 apiece.
Overall, head coach Scott Langer discussed his satisfaction with the weekend in Springfield. But despite ending the weekend at 1-1 with two out of four points, he knows his team could’ve performed better in the Friday night match.
“We weren’t bad by any means; we just weren’t our usual self. We usually play a lot more interested than we were,” said Langer. “But you know, we responded well Saturday night. I thought we took it to them pretty good. We scored four unanswered there to win the game.”
The weekend’s games also bring the team to a crucial point. After the Saturday victory, all three goalies for the RoadRunners have played at least partially in nine games. Erik Rohrkemper, Cooper Frederick and Evan Karembelas have all had a decent amount of playing time in goal and Langer has been fairly impressed so far by what he’s seen from the trio.
“There’s time in the game where we’re just not giving up shots and the next the goalies know, they’re facing a breakaway,” said Langer. “With that said, so far they’re all three giving us a chance to win. I just still want to see them all three continue to improve.”
This weekend the RoadRunners travel to Frisco, Texas, to face the Texas Tornado (12-10-2) who have won four games in a row. Langer is well aware of the test they’ll provide for his team.
“We’re coming off a pretty good win, especially in Springfield’s rink, as it’s tough to play in,” said Langer. “But you know, against Texas, we’re gonna have to be sharp. That team is playin’ hard and moving up the standings.”
After the games this weekend, the RoadRunners return home for eight straight games and a stretch of 14 out of 16 at home, beginning December 10-12 against the Owatonna Express. Game times will be 7:05 p.m. Langer knows despite being the home team, where his team has often had success, they’ll have to come out focused and ready to play to keep their lead in the South Division over the St. Louis Bandits.
“It seems the more we win, there’s still not a lot of distance,” said Langer. “So, we have to just keep winning. We know both clubs are pretty good. It could come down to the wire.”
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