Runners take four of six points on weekend

Jan 21, 2023

The Runners settled for four out of a possible six points last weekend when they hosted the Atlanta Capitals.  The team was hoping to increase their lead in the south division over the second place Brahmas but fell short with a below par effort with a huge opportunity at hand.  “We still battle to make teams play up to our level and at times put in just enough effort to get the job done.  This past weekend was more of the same but in two games we did just enough to lose.  I won’t sugar coat it and it’s becoming a very bad habit that we need to put to rest before it has some very bad effects on our season.” States Runners coach Mike Beavis  Beavis went onto say that when his team plays VS top caliber teams they rise to the task but other times wait for others to put in the effort. “It’s the veteran players that are part of the issue, the younger guys tend to follow their lead.  Like they say, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink.” added Beavis

In most cases a coach would be happy with four out of six points but Beavis demands more out of his players at this point and feels that if they want a shot at a Fraser Cup appearance they will need to play at their top level each and every game.

Friday Score:

Atlanta 3 @ TX RoadRunners 2 (OT): After trailing most of the game, the Atlanta Capitals battled back to score a late third period goal to send the game to overtime where they would take a 3-2 win over the Texas RoadRunners. After a silent first period, Jake Sherry added an early goal just a minute into the second for Texas. Soon after, Porter Wolk added to the RoadRunner lead, 2-0. Anthony O’Neal scored in the period as well to get the Capitals on the board to end the period, 2-1. In the third, Marcus Glenn scored to even the game 2-2, forcing overtime. In the third period, Glenn had success again as he netted the game winner for a 3-2 final score. Aleks Sumoski turned away 30 shots in the overtime win in net.

Saturday Final:

Atlanta 0 @ TX RoadRunners 4: The RoadRunners bounced back from Friday night’s loss, shutting out Atlanta 4-0 even the best-of-three weekend series. Texas jumped out to a fiery start as Eitan Geralnik buried just 12 seconds into the contest. Jack Herron (9:47) and Geralnik (14:27) added to that lead with more scores before the intermission. After a scoreless 2nd, Porter Wolk added some more insurance for Texas with a goal on the powerplay. Hunter Hein was the backstop for the RoadRunners, stopping all 21 shots Atlanta sent his way to secure the shutout. Damian Vandanacker kept out 29 shots in the loss.

Sunday Final:

Atlanta 5 @ TX RoadRunners 4 (OT) – The Capitals picked up their second  win of the weekend in College Station as they edged the RoadRunners in overtime, 5-4. Defenseman Austin Micale had two goals and two assists in the win. The Capitals got goals from Anthony O’Neal and Micale, a 2nd period goal from Nick Mumford, and another goal from Micale in the 3rd period. Meanwhile, the RoadRunners got two goals from Jack Herron, one from Matvey Ivanov, and one from Tyler Love. Just one minute into overtime, Mumford scored his second goal of the game for the overtime-winner. Aleks Sumoski made 39 saves in the win, while Nash Wilson made 41 saves in the loss.

The Runners will be off for the next two weekends but will continue to hit the ice to prepare to host the Texas Brahmas on three rare mid-day games.  Wednesday February 1st 1:30 PM, Thursday February 2nd 12:00 noon and Friday February 3rd at 12:30 PM.  These games were rescheduled to help both teams and staff better travel to the NA3HL Top Prospect Tournament in Pittsburgh, PA.  February 6th and 7th.  The RoadRunners will be sending five players top the event as well as Head Coach Mike Beavis to lead the South division.  The Brahmas will be sending four players as well as their Head Coach to assist Beavis with the South team.

Next UP:  TPT Roster and Preview