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AHL Tucson Roadrunners

Game #12: Tucson Roadrunners vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds

November 17, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Tucson Roadrunners News Release


Game #12: Tucson Roadrunners (7-4-0-0) vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds (6-5-0-0)

Time: Friday, November 17, 7:00 p.m. MST, Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona

Referees: #15 Mike Dietrich, #76 Jake Jackson

Linespersons: #48 Jake Herzog, #76 Gabe Lomen

The Tucson Roadrunners take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds having won two-of-three on their recent road trip and winning four of their last five overall. As for the Firebirds, they have lost three straight games; including last Sunday when Tucson defeated them 5-3 in Palm Desert. They most recently lost 5-4 Wednesday in Henderson to open their trip.

Three things:

The Roadrunners have scored four goals or more in three of their last four games while Coachella Valley sits at fifth in the AHL averaging 3.73 goals-per-game. Meanwhile the two teams sit tied for fifth in the 32-team AHL allowing just 2.73 goals-per-game.

Both teams starting goaltenders have paved the way in the goals-allowed stinginess. Roadrunners goaltender Matthew Villalta and Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger have both played nine games this season. Combined, they have 11 wins with a total of 1,069 minutes played, a 2.36 goals against average and .917 save percentage.

Coming off of a three-assist night Sunday, Victor Soderstrom has tallied five points (two goals, three assists) in his last five games. All of his points this season have come in this five-game span marking his best point streak since he had five points in five games from March 15-March 20, 2022 when he had one goal and four assists.

What did they say?

"I think the biggest thing for me is coming in and working as hard as I can every single day with a positive mindset and a mindset to get better."

Goaltender Matthew Villalta on his success as a Roadrunner this season coming off a career-high 45 save performance against Coachella Valley on Sunday in the 5-3 Tucson win.

Latest Transactions:

-On Thursday, defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok was recalled by the Arizona Coyotes (NHL).

-Milos Kelemen was recalled to Arizona on Monday.

Number to Know:

1 - Each team has gone to overtime just once this season with Bakersfield and Rockford being the only AHL teams who haven't gone past regulation. Tucson beat Ontario 4-3 in overtime on November 8. Coachella Valley beat San Jose 5-4 in overtime on October 29. No team in the AHL's Pacific Division has gone to a shootout yet so far this season.

We're Doing It Live

Tonight's game will be broadcasted live on the radio on FOX Sports 1450AM and the iHeartRadio app. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with Roadrunners Warm-Up hosted by Jonathon Schaffer, before "Voice of the Roadrunners" Adrian Denny has all the action from the TCC. The Game can also be viewed on AHLTV.com.

Check out the Tucson Roadrunners Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from November 17, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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