RoadRunners Edge Grizzlies 4-3 In A Shootout
February 4, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Ashton Rome netted the equalizer with 2:04 remaining in regulation and Captain Mitch Carefoot scored in the sixth round of the shootout lifting the Phoenix RoadRunners to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Utah Grizzlies before 2,479 at the "E"-Center in ECHL action Wednesday.
The RoadRunners (19-20-3) dominated the first period as they out-shot the Grizzlies 19-7, yet could only muster a 1-1 tie after twenty minutes. Phoenix scored on the opening shift of the game when P.J. Fenton wrapped the puck around the net of Utah goalie Dan Turple and out to Daniel Sisca who tapped it into the back of the cage on the short side 23 seconds in for a 1-0 lead. The Grizzlies (15-14-13) responded with the equalizer at 8:04 when James Sixsmith found Evan Kotsopoulos in the slot and Kotsopoulos slid the puck past RoadRunners' goalie Craig Kowalski to tie the score at 1-1.
The RoadRunners reclaimed the lead at 2-1 6:01 into the second period when Kimbi Daniels banged home a five-on-three power play goal in front of the net. But the Grizzlies responded with two goals in the final seven minutes of the period to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Rob Hennigar pounced on a rebound left out by Kowalski at the left-wing circle and snapped it by the RoadRunners' net-minder at 13:40 to knot the game at 2-2. Ryan Kinasewich gave Utah their first lead of the night in the final minute of the period when he received a nifty feed in the slot from Tim Verbeek behind the RoadRunners net and shot it past Kowalski at 19:09.
The game would remain tied throughout the third period until the RoadRunners were awarded their third power play of the period. Rome cruised out from his own zone and made a terrific individual effort to get around the defense of Tim Maxwell and tipped the puck through Turple at 17:56 to tie the contest at 3-3.
After a scoreless five-minute overtime, Kowalski stopped five of six shooters in the shootout and Sisca and Carefoot scored in the fourth and sixth rounds respectively to give Phoenix the win.
Phoenix out-shot Utah 46-31. Kowalski stopped 28 shots to earn the win and improve to 16-12-1 the season. The RoadRunners went 2-8 on the power play while Utah was 0-5 with the man-advantage.
Notes: Phoenix has won three consecutive shootouts over Utah...The RoadRunners put a season-high tying 46 shots on goal for the second straight game after their 46-shot effort Tuesday against Ontario...Kowalski is now 15-16 in shootouts this season...The RoadRunners enjoyed their seventh game of the year with multiple power play goals...Sisca's first period goal was his first in 18 games dating back to Dec. 18...The RoadRunners activated center Merit Waldrop from the three-day injured reserve prior to the game...Veteran forward John McNabb was a healthy scratch.
The RoadRunners continue a season-long eight-game road trip at 7:05 p.m. Friday with the second of a three-game series against the Utah Grizzlies at the "E"-Center in West Valley City, Utah. Catch all the action live on Independent 1310 KXAM beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" at 6:45 p.m.
Phoenix returns to US Airways Center at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 when they welcome the Alaska Aces.
Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online at ticketmaster.com or visiting the US Airways Center Box Office. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
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ECHL Stories from February 4, 2009
- Grizzlies Unbeaten Streak Hits 10; Fall 4-3 In Shootout - Utah Grizzlies
- Las Vegas Earns First Three-Game Winning Streak of the Year - Las Vegas Wranglers
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