The Capitals visited the Junior Blues over the weekend, falling in overtime in game one and taking game two for three points in the standings and a series split.
The series opened in exciting fashion Saturday afternoon with each team matching the other over the first two periods leading to a 3-3 tie heading into the third period. St. Louis jumped out to a two goal lead in the final frame forcing the Caps to roll the dice. Pulling goaltender Brett Malkmus for an extra attacker, Topeka managed to tie the game at five on goals from Drew Kelly (assisted by Alex Johanson and Tre Kautzman at 17:59) and Tre Kautzman (assisted by Jack Cleaver at 19:59) to send the game into overtime. In the extra frame, the Junior Blues ended the rally with a power play goal by Alex Klaesner at 2:45 to seal the win for St. Louis.
In the series finale on Sunday, St. Louis continued to roll, scoring the game's first goal at 5:53 in the first. Richard Yusa would even things up in the second on a netter (assisted by John Crusinberry and Alex Sauer at 3:44) to set up another exciting finish. A power play goal by Colin O'Connor (assisted by Crusinberry at 9:32) gave Topeka their first lead of the game before the Junior Blues countered with another score of their own. Mike Pedersen (assisted by Kyle Rimbach and Yusa at 17:55) restored the Capitals lead and Tre Kautzman removed all doubt with an empty netter in the final seconds lifting Topeka to a 4-2 win.
The Capitals will embark on a trip east of the Mississippi to take on the Point Mallard Ducks of Alabama and the Nashville Junior Predators of Tennessee in a couple of three-game sets before returning to Landon Arena for the final games of the season against Sugar Land. For more information on tickets, call 785-286-PUCK.