Last night the New Mexico Ice Wolves once again went up against the Topeka Pilots for their 4th meeting of the season and their last visit to the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka, Kansas. The Ice Wolves entered the game looking to keep up the momentum Friday night’s 6-3 victory over the Pilots and continue to be the only team that Topeka has yet to win against.
New Mexico was on the board first thanks to Drew Lorinchak. The Pilots goaltender managed to stop a shot from Brandon Holt but could not cover it. Lorinchak capitalized on the rebound, navigating through Topeka players in the slot and found the back of the net to put the Ice Wolves up 1-0 less than 7 minutes into the game. Garrett Mackay and the Ice Wolves defence kept the Pilots at bay for a majority of the period but the Topeka team managed to even up the score late in the first.
Heading into the second tied up, things quickly got tense and the penalty boxes got some use. Compared to the two penalty minutes taken in the first period, the 44 minutes that accumulated between both teams in the second was an abrupt change. The Ice Wolves drew two penalties midway through the second and were on a 5-on-3 advantage. It wasn’t until 13:08 into the period that someone managed to get one past the goal line. Once again it was Drew Lorinchak. The Ice Wolves power play unit put in work and utilized the open ice to their advantage allowing Lorinchak to cleanly get another one past the Topeka goaltender for the only goal of the second and Lorinchak’s second of the game.
In the final period of regulation, the Pilots opened up with a goal less than 30 second into the period and another at 6:42. The Ice Wolves fought hard to keep the Pilots at bay while trying to get back on the board and even things up once again. Unfortunately Topeka was able to score at 17:28 to have the Ice Wolves trailing 4-2. Down but not yet out, Keegan Langefels answers back just 20 seconds later to cut the lead in half with just over two minutes left to play. The Ice Wolves pulled the goaltender to earn an extra attacker to try and even it up and force overtime but were unable to do so ending the game 4-3 in favor of Topeka.
The Ice Wolves will be looking forward to the next and final meeting with the 3rd place Topeka Pilots on February 21st and 22nd at the Outpost Ice Arena in front of their home crowd. For tickets to those games as well as the remainder of the season visit tickets.nmicewolves.com to secure your seats today!