Last Week, Today: December 2
The Rundown
The Roadrunners wrapped up the November portion of their schedule in California this past week with a Thanksgiving Eve matchup against the Bakersfield Condors and the first I-8 Border Rivalry meeting of the season against the San Diego Gulls.
Both new opponents to the Roadrunners thus far this season, the team has returned home still in first place after seeing both sides of the coin in the two contests.
Wednesday vs. Bakersfield (8-3 Win)
The team’s feast began Wednesday night by once again putting up a franchise record eight goals in a game over the course of the win against the Condors.
A five goal first period was where the historical performance began; as it became just the second time in team history the club recorded five goals in a period. Coincidentally, the record was set last November against Bakersfield as well.
With 15 of the team’s 18 skaters recording a point in the win, defenseman Dysin Mayo continued his blazing month, leading the way with three points (1-2). For Mayo, it was the second time this month he registered three points, something he had not done in three previous seasons.
Captain Michael Chaput was the only Roadrunner to record multiple goals, both coming in the third period.
Backstopping the victory was Ivan Prosvetov, who put together yet another strong performance, denying 36 of Bakersfield’s 39 chances. It was the first AHL start in 25 days for the first-year Russian netminder.
Saturday vs. San Diego (6-2 Loss)
Three days and 200+ miles down the I-5 later, the Roadrunners saw the other end of the deal, taking a hard fall to the San Diego Gulls.
A few first period mistakes in the defensive end put Tucson in a hole that they couldn’t recover from and it became an effort that the team will be thankful to put behind them quickly.
The two highlights from the contest were Lane Pederson extending his team-lead in goals to 12 with a redirection on a Nick Merkley shot and Brayden Burke reclaiming a tie of the league lead with his seventh power play goal in the second.
Where They Stand
Record: 15-5-0-0 (30 Points – .750 Win Percentage)
Pacific Division: First Place / First Place
Western Conference: Second Place / Second Place
The Week That Was
Wednesday, November 27
Roadrunners (8) at Condors (3)
Mechanics Bank Arena
Saturday, November 30
Roadrunners (2) at Gulls (6)
Pechanga Arena
Up & Down
Saturday, November 30
- Forward Michael Chaput recalled by Arizona (NHL)
Alumni In Action
Conor Garland continues to pace all Arizona Coyotes with ten goals through 25 games.
The former Roadrunner of three seasons added his most recent tally in the team’s win over Los Angeles last Monday.
In The System
After a down week the week prior, forward Giovanni Fiore extended his current point streak to eight games in the midst of a few more wins for the Rapid City Rush (ECHL).
With four goals and seven assists during the span, Fiore has etched his way back up into third in the entire league’s scoring with 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 22 games.
Highlight Of The Week
While the offense took the shine for the dynamic output Wednesday night in Bakersfield, goaltender Ivan Prosvetov deserves every bit of credit for the performance he put together to win his fourth game in five tries this season.
Here he works from his glove to his blocker-side to get a piece of a two-on-one. Nice, sprawling effort.
