In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Topeka Capitals escaped with a 4-2 victory over the Dallas Jr. Stars.
Topeka gained the winning advantage on a goal by Richard Yusa 1:24 into the second period and hung on until final buzzer.
The Capitals were sparked by Alex Sauer, who finished with one goal and one assist. Sauer scored short handed 7:32 into the third period to make the score 3-1 Topeka. Topeka was on a disadvantage when Steve MacIver went off the ice for roughing. Andrew Cooley picked up the assist.
The Capitals forced their penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up 10 minors and one major for 45 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 19.0 minutes per game Topeka had been spending in the box. Dallas was unable to stop the Capitals from sending pucks towards the net, and Topeka eventually piled up 46 shots on goal.
Topeka also had goals scored by Tre Kautzman and Dylan Wattles, who scored one goal each. In addition, Topeka received assists from Drew Kelly and Trey Opack, who contributed one each.
The Jr. Stars racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with 10 minors and one major for 65 minutes in penalty time. Dallas surpassed its season average of 27.0 penalty minutes per game. The Jr. Stars forced the Capitals goalie Brett Malkmus to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots.
Dallas was led by Travis Hall, who tallied one goal and one assist. Hall scored on the power play 15:54 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Topeka. The Jr. Stars had gotten the advantage when Topeka\’s Kyle Rimbach was sent off for cross checking. Blake McIntyre assisted on the tally. Dallas also got a goal from Tyler Valentin as well. Other players who recorded assists for Dallas were Kayne Fedor, who had one.
Malkmus recorded 29 saves for the Capitals. Topeka registered one goal on seven power play opportunities. Clayton Pierce made 42 saves for Dallas on 45 shots. The Jr. Stars registered two goals on seven power play opportunities.