Game #63: Tucson Roadrunners (0) vs San Diego Gulls (4)
Game #63: Tucson Roadrunners vs San Diego Gulls
SOG: TUC (26) – SD (29)
PP: TUC (0/2) – SD (2/4)
Maybe that’s not the exact quote but couldn’t you picture Villalta saying that? Villalta was great for the Roadrunners in between the pipes making 25 saves on Friday night. Villalta, a 2024 AHL All-Star, is currently second in the AHL in both games played and wins. Villalta has already set the Roadrunners single season record for wins in a season, and as of tonight tied the record for games played by a goalie in one season.
DON’T OVERLOOK IT
IT’S BEEN A MINUTE – Isn’t that what the kids say when referring to a long amount of time? It has been a minute, actually over a month since the Tucson Roadrunners lost a home game. February 24th was the last home loss, and since that game (before tonight) the Roadrunners were 5-0-1-0 in their last six.
LOOK AT THIS
Netminder Matthew Villalta focuses on the puck between the San Diego skater’s legs as the breakaway chance for the Gulls is denied. Villalta recorded 25 saves on the night and only surrendered two even strength goals. Villalta tied the Tucson Roadrunners franchise record for games played in a season with 45.
THEY SAID IT
“We’ve got to look at some of the mistakes we had (tonight) and correct them for tomorrow. We really wanted the points from tonight, but we are excited to try and get them tomorrow.”
Patrik Koch following Tucson’s 4-0 loss to San Diego on Friday evening.
THE RUNDOWN
It was a tough one from start to finish for the Tucson Roadrunners, who were shutout for the first time at home this season on Friday night. San Diego scored at the 7:57 mark of the first period and again at the 18:10 mark of the first period. The second San Diego goal was a power-play goal following a too many men minor on the Roadrunners.
A power-play goal in the second for San Diego would be the only scoring in period two. The Roadrunners would have a power-play opportunity of their own but would come up empty. Netminder Matthew Villalta would make seven saves in the second frame and total 25 on the night. It was Villalta’s 45th game played which ties the single-season franchise record for goalies.
With a 3-0 lead heading into the final frame, San Diego would add another to extend their lead to four. Things would get chippy in the final six minutes of play as matching roughing minors and a misconduct penalty would be handed out.
The Roadrunners look to bounce back on Saturday night at the Tucson Arena as the two teams will faceoff for game two of the series.
