The Texas RoadRunners jumped off a six game skid to move into a tie for third place with the New Mexico Ice Wolves as they rapidly approach the mid season mark. The squad took two out of three this weekend at home VS the Tulsa Jr. Oilers in College Station, TX.
The Runners have been without Captain Carson Spear for the past three weeks and he is currently listed as day to day for the next week. “It’s tough when a key guy goes down and in this case we had two tough series against El Paso and the Brahmas on the road that we were short both Carson and Noble Cook. We had hopped guys would step up but we just couldn’t find the chemistry to get things going.” stated Runners Head Coach Mike Beavis.
Friday Final:
Tulsa 3 @ Texas R 1 – Tulsa would enter this matchup hungry for their first win of the season. After the first 20 minutes saw no score, Cooper Smolin would give the Jr. Oilers took the lead early into the second frame. Sam Cardona would double the lead for his team later in the second. Lucas Dyer would give his team some life, turning this into a one goal game heading into the third period. Midway through the third, Smolin would notch a power play goal that would prove to be the game winning goal. Hunter Houle would make 26 saves in the loss, while Jack Salverson would secure the first win of the season making a remarkable 54 saves.
Saturday Final:
Tulsa 1 @ Texas R 4 –Tulsa would look to find another win on consecutive days, but an early goal from Skylar Bawcom would find themselves being down early in this one. It would be in the second period when JT Brugaletta would double up the RoadRunners’ lead. Shortly after, Tyson Ward-Dicks would find the back of the net as well to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Sam Cardona would put the Jr. Oilers on the board later on in the second. Unfortunately this would be it for Tulsa, as Cutter Daniel would put this game on ice with his empty net goal. Jack Salverson had a phenomenal performance, making 26 saves despite the loss, Jimmy Packee would pick up the win with 25 saves.
Sunday Final;
Tulsa 4 @ Texas R 5 – A potential Tulsa Jr Oilers comeback was staved off by the Texas RoadRunners Sunday. The RoadRunners jumped to the early lead with Lucas Dyer hitting the one-timer. Austin Tyler would tie the game in the final three minutes of the period for the Jr Oilers, but Noble Cook gave the RoadRunners the lead with 26 seconds left to make it 2-1 RoadRunners after one period. Both teams traded goals throughout the second period, with Charles Blake bringing the RoadRunners lead to two goals. Brayden Hagemann on an unassisted goal cut the lead, but 14 second late Kyle Mackintosh scored his tenth of the season, bringing the RoadRunners lead up again. A goal from each team in the final minute saw Stone Baulch and Cutter Daniel each getting on the board. The Jr Oilers were down two goals in the third period, and got a break from a power play goal off Charlie Scott. It wasn’t enough however, as the RoadRunners held on for the victory.
The RoadRunners will have a tough road ahead before the Blaine Showcase December 15-17. This week the RoadRunners will travel to Louisiana to take in Chris Francis’s Drillers in a three game set. The Drillers are currently in first place in the south division with a 13-0-2-1 record and remain the only team in the 3HL to remain unbeaten in regulation. “Franny has his guys playing well but if we come to play we can be a very dangerous team each and every night. The guy’s will be seeing a ton of video this week and working on systems tailored to the Drillers game. Louisiana is a tough rink to play in but it just adds to the adversity that we face daily this season. We will be ready this week and know how valuable these six points are.” States Beavis
The Runners will then hit the road to Austin for a two game set before having a break for the Thanksgiving holiday playing in Austin on Friday and Saturday November 22nd and 23rd. “I have been very impressed with the Ice Bats this season watching them play and to see the turnaround that the staff has made in the first half of the season has been tremendous so far. Head Coach Wes Michaud was a good addition to the program and is doing what he needs to elevate his team. Added Beavis
The RoadRunners will also have to travel to New Mexico to take on one of the hottest teams in the 3HL as of late. The Ice Wolves are coming of an impressive sweep of the Texas Brahmas last weekend and look like the Ice Wolves of last season. The two teams will play a three game set beginning Friday December 6th in Albuquerque .
Be sure to catch all the RoadRunners games live on nahltv.com