Down The Stretch They Come

March 20, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


Phoenix, Ariz. - WEEK RECORD: 0-4-0 - SEASON RECORD: 19-41-3 - 6th WEST DIVISION

‘RUNNERS REWIND: The Phoenix RoadRunners hung tough with the Las Vegas Wranglers and Bakersfield Condors but were unable to pull out a victory last week. The RoadRunners sit nine points behind the fifth place Victoria Salmon Kings with nine games remaining in the regular season.

Tuesday, Dan Tudin and Derek Edwardson each tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Las Vegas Wranglers to a 4-2 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 3,100 at US Airways Center.

The RoadRunners (19-38-3) started the game on a good note. Dusty Demianiuk collected his first goal of the season when he beat a screened Las Vegas goaltender Marc Magliarditi with a wrist shot from the right point just 3:24 into the first period for a 1-0 lead. The Wranglers (45-10-6) would net the equalizer at 8:35 as Tudin re-directed Tyler Sloan's shot from the blue line by RoadRunners goaltender Ryan Cyr to tie the game at 1-1. Steve Marr gave Las Vegas their first lead of the night at the 18:00 minute mark, beating a screened Cyr with a shot from the left point for a 2-1 advantage to close out the first period.

Las Vegas would break the game open with two quick goals in the opening five minutes of the third period. Off a bad bounce behind the Phoenix net, Edwardson collected the loose puck in front and slipped a backhander past Cyr at 3:03 to give the Wranglers a 3-1 lead. Matt Dzieduszycki extended the lead to 4-1 with his 32nd goal of the season at 4:53. Dzieduszycki collected Tudin's rebound at the weak side of the net and jammed the puck home for the tally. Brad Woods brought the RoadRunners back to within two goals when he ripped a slap shot over Magliarditi's glove from the right-wing circle at 6:24. Unfortunately, Phoenix would get no closer.

Las Vegas out-shot Phoenix 45-20. Cyr stopped 41 shots but fell to 0-9-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 0-4 on the power play and held the Wranglers scoreless on three chances with the man-advantage.

Thursday, Marco Peluso scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal 6:30 into the third period to lift the Las Vegas Wranglers to a 5-3 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners and spoil the first professional hat-trick for Patrick Levesque before 3,348 at US Airways Center in ECHL action Thursday.

A wild first period saw three goals between the teams. Las Vegas (46-10-6) struck first with a power play goal at 11:30 of the period. Dan Tudin was credited with his 30th goal of the season when his centering pass across the crease kicked off a RoadRunners defenseman's skate and trickled into the net. Phoenix (19-39-3) would close the period though with a pair of goals from Patrick Levesque. Levesque re-directed John Fieweger's wrist shot from the left point past Las Vegas goaltender Mike McKenna at 14:06 to tie the game at 1-1. Levesque gave the RoadRunners their first lead of the night when he pounced on the loose puck in front of McKenna and jammed it into the back of the cage at 17:35.

The Wranglers would battle back with a pair of goals early in the second period to take a 3-2 lead. Todd Alexander curled out from behind the net to the left-wing circle and snapped a shot through RoadRunners goaltender Ryan Cyr's pads just 4:41 into the period to tie the game at 2-2. Las Vegas regained the lead 2:36 seconds later when Chris Stanley beat Cyr through the five-hole on a breakaway. But Levesque carried the RoadRunners to the equalizer, netting his third goal of the night by re-directing Dean Tiltgen's shot past McKenna at 15:46 to tie the game at 3-3 after two periods.

Peluso notched the game-winning goal early in the third period, slipping around a RoadRunners defenseman and ripping a wrist shot over Cyr's glove and into the net to give Las Vegas a 4-3 lead. Nick Anderson sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:26.

Las Vegas out-shot Phoenix 32-24. Cyr stopped 27 shots but fell to 0-10-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 0-3 on the power play. Levesque's hat-trick was the first in RoadRunners ECHL history.

Friday, Joel Irving tallied a pair of goals including the game-winner to lead the Bakersfield Condors to a 5-2 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 5,556 at Rabobank Arena in ECHL action Friday.

Bakersfield (31-23-5) opened the scoring at 18:03 of the first period. Jack Baker charging up the right-wing boards centered the puck off Tyler Scott's stick right to Brad Mehalko at the weak side of the net, and Mehalko tapped it along the ice past RoadRunners goaltender Zach Sikich to give the Condors a 1-0 lead.

Justin Quenneville would net the equalizer for the RoadRunners (19-40-3) at 6:52 of the second period on the power play. Quenneville in the slot flipped the loose puck over Bakersfield goaltender Ryan Munce's glove to tie the game at 1-1. The Condors would counter though with a pair of goals to close the period. Mathieu Brunelle jammed home Kevin Truelson's rebound at 13:45 for a 2-1 advantage. Joel Irving made it 3-1 with a power play goal on a one-time slap shot from the right-wing circle at 17:39.

Kevin St. Jacques increased the lead to 4-1 with his 21st goal of the year just 3:52 into the third period. Irving was credited with his second goal of the game at 7:30 when his centering pass across the crease deflected off a RoadRunners defenseman's stick and bounced into the net to give Bakersfield a commanding 5-1 lead. Jake Riddle closed the scoring on a two-man advantage power play at 13:24.

Bakersfield out-shot Phoenix 45-34. Sikich stopped 40 shots but fell to 1-1-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 2-9 on the power play.

Saturday, Bakersfield goaltender Marty Magers stopped a career-high 50 shots to lead the Bakersfield Condors to a 4-1 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 6,536 at Rabobank Arena in ECHL action Saturday

For a second straight night, the Condors (32-23-5) jumped on the scoreboard first. Mike Hofstrand fired a slap shot from the left-wing circle over RoadRunners goaltender Ryan Cyr's left glove and into the net just 1:21 into the game on the power play to give Bakersfield a 1-0 lead.

Kevin St. Jacques extended the Condors lead to 2-0 at 17:51 of the second period. Following a RoadRunners power play, Steve Howard centered the puck from behind the net to St. Jacques in the slot, and St. Jacques beat Cyr with a shot along the ice for the tally.

Dave Bonk opened the third period with is 12th goal of the season just 1:22 into the frame to give Bakersfield a commanding 3-0 advantage. Taylor Christie broke up the shutout and got Phoenix (19-41-3) on the board at 4:14 of the third, collecting Shawn Snider's rebound in front of the net and slipping a backhander past Bakersfield goaltender Marty Magers. But despite out-shooting the Condors 22-6 in the final period, the RoadRunners were unable to find the back of the net once again. Kevin Kotyluk sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:06.

Phoenix out-shot Bakersfield 51-26. Cyr stopped 22 shots and dropped to 0-11-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 0-9 on the power play while the Condors were 1-7 on the man-advantage.

MAGER PAIN: Despite firing a season-high 51 shots on goal, including a season-high 22 in the third period alone, the RoadRunners were denied a victory by Marty Magers. It's not the first time this season that Phoenix has run into a hot goaltender. On January 8, the RoadRunners out-shot Stockton 45-17, but fell to the Thunder 1-0 as Stockton goaltender Jake Moreland made all 45 saves. Then on February 26, the RoadRunners fired 48 shots Utah goalie Alfie Michaud, only to see Michaud stop all of them in a 4-0 loss to the Grizzlies. In the three games combined, Phoenix has out-shot their opponent 144-71, but has been outscored by an unbelievable margin of 9-1. Also ironic is the fact that in each instance, the RoadRunners have set a season-high for shots on goal in a single game.

ROOKIES NO MORE: With the loss of several veterans due to the recent trades, RoadRunners' rookies have worked hard to pick up the slack. Since the first deals of J-F Soucy, Shaun Fisher, Ben Knopp, and Dave Cousineau back on January 9, the nine rookie skaters have combined for three goals and 14 points in the last six games. Brad Woods and Taylor Christie each have contributed a goal and three assists, while Christie is riding a season-high three-game scoring streak. Woods meanwhile has a point in four out of his last six games. In addition, Christie, Woods, Dusty Demianiuk, Kevin Ulanski, and Shawn Snider have all recently enjoyed the honor of serving as an Alternate Captain.

THREE IS NO CHARM: 25 of the RoadRunners 63 games this season, nearly 40%, have been decided by three goals or more. Phoenix is just 3-22 in such games. On a positive note, the RoadRunners are still are very impressive 11-8-3 in one-goal games this year.

CONGRATULATIONS... To RoadRunners Captain Dean Tiltgen who skated in his 500th career game Friday at Bakersfield. Tiltgen is the first player in the ECHL to record his 400th point and play in his 500th game in the same season since Stefan Rivard accomplished the feat back in the 2003-04 season as a member of the now-defunct Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. Tiltgen recorded his 400th point earlier this season with an assist on December 31 vs. Fresno. He's also the only player on the RoadRunners roster to play in all 63 games this season.

UPCOMING ROADRUNNERS PROMOTIONS: The RoadRunners welcome the Victoria Salmon Kings to US Airways Center at 7:11PM Monday and the Bakersfield Condors at 7:11PM Wednesday.

Tuesday, the RoadRunners would like to extend an invitation to all full season ticket holders to join the entire 2005-06 inaugural team and staff for an exclusive season ticket holder renewal party to be held at 6:30PM down on the Ice Level at US Airways Center.

This is your personal chance to skate with the RoadRunners, test your shooting skills on ice, get your picture taken with Rocky on the Zamboni, and so much more. Complimentary food will be provided by Texas Roadhouse. Reserve your spot now by calling (602) 514-5444, or stop by the Account Experience Table located behind Section 122 on the US Airways Center concourse during Monday's game between the RoadRunners and Victoria Salmon Kings.

Wednesday is "Fan Appreciation Night" as the RoadRunners host the Bakersfield Condors. The first 2,000 fans will receive a special gift from the Phoenix RoadRunners.

The Phoenix RoadRunners Booster Club will host their first annual End of Season Awards Banquet at 6PM on Wednesday, March 29. Tickets are $30 for club members, $40 for non-members, and $17.50 for children under 10. Stop by the Booster Club table located behind Section 122 on the US Airways Center Concourse to purchase your tickets.

Tuesday, April 4, the RoadRunners play their regular season home finale as they host the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7:11PM. It's "Harley Davidson Night" as the RoadRunners will wear special themed Harley Davidson jerseys. These game-worn jerseys will be available for purchase through a live auction to be held immediately after the game at Stoudemire's restaurant located across the street from US Airways Center on 2nd Street. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Save the date on Wednesday, April 5 as the RoadRunners host their first annual "Celebrity Waiters" event at Alice Cooper'stown located on Jackson Street behind US Airways Center. RoadRunners players will be all hands on deck as they serve your favorite Cooper'stown meals beginning at 7:30PM! Also, test your poker skills in a celebrity Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament against your favorite RoadRunners. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner and poker tournament will also benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

For more information or to order tickets, call (602) 462-GOAL.

WATCH THE ‘RUNNERS LIVE IN '05-06: The RoadRunners have teamed up with B2 Networks to bring you live action of Phoenix RoadRunners hockey in 2005-06. RoadRunners fans will be able to click the "Watch Online" link at www.phxroadrunners.com to view and listen to the game. These broadcasts are available to fans for a charge of $6 per game. All 36 RoadRunners home broadcasts will be available in addition to over 25 road games in Alaska, Idaho, Pensacola, Las Vegas, San Diego, Utah, and Bakersfield. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.

UP NEXT: The RoadRunners will play four games in five nights for a third straight week. Phoenix hosts Victoria at 7:11PM Monday and Bakersfield at 7:11PM Wednesday from US Airways Center, and then heads back to California to battle San Diego at 8PM MST Saturday and Stockton at 5PM MST Sunday. Catch all four games live on News Talk Radio 1100AM KFNX and Pro Sports Radio beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off.



ECHL Stories from March 20, 2006


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