Last Week, Today: November 11
The Rundown
One of the wildest weekends in franchise history concluded with the Roadrunners being the first team in the American Hockey League to ten wins.
A record amount of goals scored in a game, jaw-dropping and game-saving stops in net and late night drama, there was a little bit of everything for the nearly 10,000 that made their way to downtown Tucson.
Friday vs. Stockton (3-2 Shootout Win)
After coming out of the gates slow and falling behind 2-0 at the end of 40 minutes, the Roadrunners used third period tallies from Jon Martin and Brayden Burke to even the score and force overtime.
Following the five minute three-on-three, Tucson earned their first shootout win of the near in the bottom of the ninth round thanks to Beau Bennett.
In net for Tucson, Adin Hill, who kept the team in it and prevented the contest from being more difficult for the team than a deficit of a pair, earned his fifth consecutive win in net by turning away 26 of 28. The five straight wins matches a franchise record for most consecutive by a netminder.
Saturday vs. Stockton (7-6 Win)
After Head Coach Jay Varady said post-game Friday that he wanted his team to “be more ready to go from the first puck drop”, his team answered the bell by jumping out to a 3-0 first period lead in front of a packed Tucson Arena.
Forward Kelly Klima netted his first AHL goal during that stretch but the second period consisted of seven goals total from both sides, including a run of three goals in five minutes by Stockton, capitalizing on a five-minute major power play following a Lane Pederson game misconduct.
An early third period tally and second of the night from captain Michael Chaput wound up being the game-winner and solidified a win for Tucson, who featured Eric Comrie in net during his first game of a conditioning loan.
The win came in front of a season’s largest 6,117 in the stands.
Where They Stand
Record: 10-3-0-0 (20 Points)
Pacific Division: First Place
Western Conference: First Place
The Week That Was
Friday, November 8
Heat (2) at Roadrunners (3) – SO
Tucson Arena
Saturday, November 9
Heat (6) at Roadrunners (7)
Tucson Arena
Up & Down
Recalls (TUC -> ARI)
Tuesday, November 5: Kyle Capobianco
Recalls (RC -> TUC)
Thursday, November 7: Merrick Madsen
Friday, November 8: Ryker Killins
Assignments (ARI -> TUC)
Friday, November 8: Kyle Capobianco
Assignments (TUC -> RC)
Saturday, November 9: Ryker Killing
Sunday, November 10: Merrick Madsen
Transactions:
Wednesday, November 6: Arizona Coyotes placed goaltender Erik Kallgren on unconditional waivers.
Alumni In Action
After starting the season with the Tucson Roadrunners, defenseman Aaron Ness registered his first NHL point of the season with the Arizona Coyotes Saturday night.
In The System
Another weekend with multiple points for Giovanni Fiore now pulls him to within just one point of the ECHL league lead. Currently with eight goals and nine assists, 17 points places him second.
After being assigned to Rapid City ahead of Eric Comrie’s conditioning loan to Tucson, Ivan Prosvetov made 30 saves in his first ECHL start to give the Rush a 1-0 shutout win over Idaho. The 20-year-old continues to have himself a dazzling start to the season.
Highlight Of The Week
In a weekend of ten goals, Beau Bennett’s ninth round shootout winner Friday night provided smiles all around and a feel-good way to wrap up the weekend opener.
