Game #49: Tucson Roadrunners (2) vs Bakersfield Condors (3)
Game #49: Tucson Roadrunners vs Bakersfield Condors
SOG: TUC (35) – BAK (21)
PP: TUC (1/4) – BAK (0/3)
BAKERSFIELD SCORING: Jaden Grubbe (7), Dino Kambeitz (7), Cameron Wright (7)
TUCSON SCORING: Vladislav Kolyachonok (5), Curtis Douglas (3)
Not one. Not two. But three. Three consecutive Tucson Roadrunners goals were scored over the weekend by defenseman Vlad Kolyachonok, bringing his season total to five. Kolyachonok scored three of four total goals for the Roadrunners this weekend and all three goals were on special teams (two power-play and one shorthanded).
DON’T OVERLOOK IT
THE HIGHEST OF HIGHS AND THE LOWEST OF LOWS- Don’t worry, both of these things are positives if you find yourself rooting for the Tucson Roadrunners. In Saturday night’s contest the Roadrunners recorded 20 shots on goal in the third period. That number is the season-high for shots on goal in a period and the Roadrunners added two goals in that period to make it a game. Tucson allowed just three shots on goal in the third period Saturday, which is tied for the second lowest number of the season. The lowest, two shots on goal in a period, came Friday against these same Bakersfield Condors; marking the second time this season that Tucson has allowed just two shots in a period. In the two games this weekend, Tucson outshot Bakersfield 28-5 in the third periods.
LOOK AT THIS
The Tucson Roadrunners celebrate in the third period of Saturday night’s game as forward Curtis Douglas lit the lamp for the third time this season. Douglas turns to lead the handshake line followed by Victor Soderstrom and Josh Doan, who assisted Douglas on the goal. Tucson had Bakersfield on the ropes, as you can see from the Bakersfield players’ expressions, as the Roadrunners brought the score within one in the final minute of the third period.
THEY SAID IT
“We need to be sharper at the end of our attacks and that will lead to more scores. We have to be more focused and raise our effort and will to win. We have a great group of coaches here and we all just want a chance to be out on the ice together.”
Defenseman Vlad Kolyachonok following Tucson’s 3-2 loss on Saturday night.
THE RUNDOWN
Over $25,000 was raised to benefit Roadrunners Community Efforts in the postgame jersey game worn auction. Hockey Day In Arizona Opened with Coyotes Alumni, led by Shane Doan, beating the University of Arizona 8-2.
Bakersfield, much like Friday night, would light the lamp first at the Tucson Arena and put the Roadrunners in a 1-0 hole 2:12 into the first period. The early Condors goal would be the only score in the first twenty minutes. Tucson would outshoot the Condors 10-8 in the frame but couldn’t capitalize with a goal.
Bakersfield would kick off the second period with more offense, scoring two more goals to extend their lead to three. It was a clean period on the stat sheet and special teams as only a holding minor on the Roadrunners would be called. The Roadrunners penalty-kill unit would deny Bakersfield in all three chances the Condors had on the power-play. Tucson would go 1-4 on the power-play in the contest.
The third frame was dominated by the Roadrunners both in scoring and shots on goal. Tucson outshot the Condors 20-3 in the frame and won the scoring battle 2-0. The first Roadrunners goal came from defensemen Vlad Kolyachonok just 1:29 into the period. The goal came on the power-play and was the third consecutive Roadrunners goal scored by Kolyachonok. Ben McCartney and Aku Raty picked up assists on the goal. With several chances throughout the period, it would take the Roadrunners just under 18 minutes of play until they scored again. This goal was scored by Curtis Douglas, his third of the year. Douglas was assisted by Josh Doan and Victor Soderstrom and brought the Roadrunners within one with 47 seconds left in the contest. Bakersfield would shut the door in the final minute and win both games of the weekend by a score of 3-2.
“We need to be sharper at the end of our attacks and that will lead to more scores. We have to be more focused and raise our effort and will to win. We have a great group of coaches here and we all just want a chance to be out on the ice together,” said Defenseman Vlad Kolyachonok following Tucson’s 3-2 loss on Saturday night.
