One Last Chance To Catch The RoadRunners

April 3, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


Phoenix, Ariz. - WEEK RECORD: 0-1-1 - SEASON RECORD: 19-45-5 - 6th WEST DIVISION

‘RUNNERS REWIND: The Phoenix RoadRunners garnered a point in their 4-3 shootout loss Friday at Fresno before falling 3-1 at Bakersfield on Saturday. The RoadRunners conclude their inaugural 2005-06 season with three games this week, including the regular season home finale Tuesday against Las Vegas at US Airways Center.

Friday, J-F Plourde broke a 1-1 tie in the third round of the shootout to lift the Fresno Falcons to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 4,473 at the Save Mart Center.

The RoadRunners (19-44-5) stormed out of the gate with a pair of power play goals 46 seconds apart. Jake Riddle drove Brad Woods' rebound from the slot behind Fresno goaltender Brett Jaeger at 10:09 of the first period on a two-man advantage power play to give Phoenix a 1-0 lead. Dean Tiltgen made it a 2-0 game at 10:55 beating Jaeger over the shoulder with a shot from the right-wing circle. Derek Krestanovich got the Falcons (41-13-13) on the scoreboard before the close of the opening frame. Shawn Mather found Krestanovich open in the slot, and Krestanovich ripped a wrist shot over Ryan Cyr's glove at 16:08 to cut the RoadRunners lead in half 2-1.

Pierre-Olivier Beaulieu tallied the equalizer for Fresno at 13:48 of the second. Mather found Beaulieu in the high slot, and Beaulieu fired a rising slap shot over the glove of Cyr and into the cage to tie the game at 2-2.

Dustin VanBallegooie gave the Falcons their first lead of the game at 10:15 of the third period as he collected Vince Macri's rebound inside the left-wing circle and slipped the puck behind Cyr for a 3-2 lead. But Tiltgen gave the RoadRunners life as he found a seam through the Fresno defense and split the pads of Jaeger with a shot along the ice at 12:24 to tie the game at 3-3 and send the contest to overtime.

Following a scoreless overtime, Fraser Clair and Plourde scored in the shootout for the Falcons while Kevin Ulanski potted the RoadRunners lone shootout goal.

Fresno out-shot Phoenix 41-26. Cyr stopped 38 shots but fell to 0-11-2 on the season. The RoadRunners went 2-5 on the power play and held Fresno without a goal on the man advantage.

Saturday, Joel Irving and Kevin Truelson each recorded multiple-point games to lead the Bakersfield Condors to a 3-1 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 5,381 at Rabobank Arena.

Following a scoreless first period, Bakersfield (37-25-6) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of power play goals in the middle frame. Kevin Truelson found a wide-open Joel Irving at the left-wing circle, and Irving fired a wrist shot through the pads of RoadRunners goaltender Ryan Cyr at 13:08 to give the Condors a 1-0 lead. Dave Bonk extended the lead to 2-0 when he collected the loose puck inside the right-wing circle and falling to his knees put a backhand shot through Cyr at 16:04 for the tally.

The RoadRunners (19-45-5) would finally break through in the third period. On a nice individual move, Brad Woods worked his way around the Bakersfield defense and fired a shot on Condors goaltender Ryan Munce. Munce couldn't hang on to the rebound and Mike Ouellet slammed it into the open net at 8:33 to cut the deficit to 2-1. But the Condors would have the final answer as Kevin St. Jacques found Brad Mehalko in the high slot, and Mehalko ripped a shot over Cyr's right shoulder and into the net at 14:39 to cap the scoring.

Phoenix out-shot Bakersfield 34-32. Cyr made 29 saves but fell to 0-12-2 on the season. The RoadRunners went 0-3 on the power play while Bakersfield was 2-9 with the man-advantage.

BOY THAT'S FAST: Jake Riddle and Dean Tiltgen scored 46 seconds apart on Friday, the fastest time between two goals in RoadRunners ECHL history.

OUELLET ON A ROLL: Forward Mike Ouellet has eight assists and nine points in his last 10 games. The third-year pro is now third overall on the RoadRunners in scoring with 10 goals and 28 points in 59 games.

BACK TO BACK POWER SURGE: With a pair of power play goals last Sunday in Stockton and Friday in Fresno, the RoadRunners collected multiple power play goals in consecutive games for the first time this season. Phoenix has four power play goals in their last 14 chances on the man advantage (28.6%).

UPCOMING ROADRUNNERS PROMOTIONS: Tuesday 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 as the RoadRunners host their first annual "Celebrity Waiters and Casino Night" event at Alice Cooper'stown. 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 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 host the Las Vegas Wranglers in the regular season home finale at 7:11PM Tuesday. Phoenix will conclude their inaugural season on the road at 7:35PM Friday at San Diego and at 7:05PM Saturday at Las Vegas. Catch all three 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 April 3, 2006


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