Game #4: Tucson Roadrunners (2) vs San Diego Gulls (1)

Roadrunners Recap: 10/24/2023

Game #2: Tucson Roadrunners (2) vs San Diego Gulls (1)

SOG: TUC (35) – SD (23)

PP: TUC (0/3) – SD (0/5)

SAN DIEGO SCORING: Trevor Carrick (1)

TUCSON SCORING:  Hunter Drew (1), Dylan Guenther (2)

ROADRUNNERS DEFEAT SAN DIEGO GULLS IN THE KIDS SCHOOL DAY GAME 2-1 FROM THE TUCSON ARENA.

Tucson, Arizona – The high-pitched cheering ringing from the rafters of the Tucson Arena was enough to give an edge to the Tucson Roadrunners in Tuesday morning’s Kids School Day game against San Diego. The Roadrunners defeated the Gulls by a final score of 2-1 before 4,341 fans in a crowd made up mostly of K-8 students  from Pima County Schools. Tucson improved to 3-1 in the victory.

YA GOTTA SEE IT

It was Tucson forward Hunter Drew, former San Diego Gull, getting the scoring started for the Roadrunners in the first period in his Tucson debut. At the 3:48 mark it was Captain Stephen Kampfer and Milos Kelemen passing the puck around ending on the stick of Hunter Drew who buried it. The kids were buzzing and filled the building with an energy uncommon to the normal hockey crowd. Tucson controlled the pace of play throughout the first and outshot the Gulls 11-4 in the first 20 minutes.

DON’T OVERLOOK IT

CLOSE CALLS – The Roadrunners have not exactly made it easy for their fans to relax during games. In all three wins so far this season, the Roadrunners have won by one goal but have never trailed in any of those three games. In all three, they have also had the opposing goalie pulled against them and have had to defend the 6-on-5 attack in extended time. Tuesday’s contest set a Roadrunners season-high for shots on goal and the season low for shots allowed (35-23 TUC).

Roadrunners Forward Curtis Douglas celebrates on the Tucson bench with teammates after Hunter Drews first period goal. Tucson would hang on to win 2-1 in front of 4,347 fans comprised mostly of students from Pima County Schools.

THEY SAID IT

It was cool, school day games are always fun. The kids bring the juice and it really helped us out there.

Forward Dylan Guenther after Tuesday’s Kids School Day Game victory over the San Diego Gulls

THE RUNDOWN

After a quick intermission of Fortnite dances and screaming kids it was back to business for the Roadrunners. An early San Diego penalty put the Roadrunners into a power-play. The Gulls killed the power-play and put the pressure on Tucson’s netminder Matthew Villalta. Villalta was phenomenal stopping 9/10 shot attempts against him in the second and 22/23 he faced in the contest. San Diego tied the game 1-1 at the 5:23 mark of period two but their offense would be halted following that goal.

It took just 43 seconds of the third period for Tucson Forward Dylan Guenther to find the back of the net and score the eventual game-winner. Guenther has separated himself as being a goal scoring machine as he scored his second of the year in just four games. Guenther was assisted by Nathan Smith and Milos Kelemen on the play. Kelemen ended the afternoon with assists on both Roadrunners goals. San Diego didn’t go out without a fight, evenly shooting with the Roadrunners in the third period 9-9 and having some chances late in the game. Matthew Villalta had another stellar performance to help will this Tucson team to their third win in four games this year and send the students in attendance home Fortnite dancing with joy.