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Fairbans/Topeka Game 4
Congrats to the Fairbanks squad for a great game on Friday night.
The first period was a lot like the first periods all series long, pretty even and pretty tight. Both teams had some chances, but Fairbanks probably had better chances and found the back of the net for the only goal.
The shots on goal in the second period favored Topeka, but I think that Fairbanks at least played even, and probably outplayed Topeka some in the second. Both goalies played well all night long, but especially in the second period.
Fairbanks took control in the third, aided in part by their great play, and in part by ill-timed penalties by Topeka. Both of their goals were on nice plays. Had Topeka been able to kill off that lengthy 5 on 3, it may have swung the momentum a little more in their favor. However, Fairbanks made a nice play and found the back of the net. It was pretty much over at that point. Topeka did some pressure later in the third, but did not get a ton of good looks, and Reichard came up big when they did. Brown had a nice shot on the power play, but it was too little, too late at that point.
Reichard played extremely well in net. Merriam played well enough to win the game, but not well enough to steal it. Topeka's defense is still giving up too many good scoring opportunities for my liking. This team has been pretty stellar in team defense all year, regardless of the opponent. Fairbanks has been doing a great job of generating good scoring chances all series long. That is not something we are used to seeing in Topeka this year.
As is usually the case in the playoffs - special teams is really the deciding factor in this series. Other than game 4, the team that won the special teams battle won the game.
Game 5 should be a great game. The intensity has built up each game this series, and a Game 5 to decide who earns their ticket to St. Louis should be a blast.
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