Ontario Reigns On RoadRunners Parade 3-2 In Overtime

November 1, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners outshot the Ontario Reign 39-31 but lost in overtime 3-2 in front of 1,811 fans on Halloween night at US Airways Center.

The RoadRunners (3-2-1) opened up the first period with a power play at 1:22 but weren't able to capitalize. The rest of the period was pretty even with Ontario (4-2-0) outshooting Phoenix 11-9 and the game remaining scoreless going into the first intermission.

In the second period, the Reign got on the board first at 5:39 with a power play goal scored by Job Francisco off a rebound by Geoff Walker. Andrew Martens had the other assist as Ontario went up 1-0. Phoenix was able to come back and tie the game 1-1 at 15:24 though when Mitch Carefoot scored a power play goal from the bottom of the left circle. Matt Fornataro and Michael Wilson had the assists while the tie held into the second intermission.

"It was good timing to have a week of practice," RoadRunners Head Coach Brad Church said of the team's week off before Friday night's game. "We touched on a lot of system work and it showed tonight."

Ontario scored its second power play goal of the night at 6:50 of the third period when Dusty Collins fed a pass to Walker who scored from the left of RoadRunners' goalie Craig Kowalski. Martens had the other assist as the Reign took a 2-1 lead. Twelve seconds later, however, Phoenix tied up the game 2-2 when Rob Dmytruk scored his first of the season from the slot at 7:02. Wes Clark and Brett Peterson had the assists.

"To score right after a goal like that is big," Church said, adding that it was a good response from the RoadRunners. "(Ontario) is a hard-working team and to shut down their offense like that is big."

The RoadRunners put the pressure on Reign goalie Jeff Zatkoff at the end of the period but weren't able to score as regulation ended with a 2-2 score.

The energy Phoenix had at the end of the third period did not carry into overtime, however, and Ontario was able to capitalize on a turnover and Martens scored the game-winning goal 2:19 into OT top-shelf over Kowalski. Tim Kraus had the assist, making the final score 3-2.

"We were too passive in overtime," Church said. "I told the guys we didn't play too tough, that we need to be aggressors and that's something we need to address."

Kowalski had 28 saves on the night while Zatkoff had 37.

The RoadRunners visit the Ontario Reign at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Catch all the action live on Independent 1310 KXAM beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" at 6:40 p.m.

Phoenix returns to US Airways Center to open a three-game home-stand at 7:05 p.m. Monday as they welcome the defending National Conference Champion Las Vegas Wranglers.

Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online 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.



ECHL Stories from November 1, 2008


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