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Phoenix Continues Series with Las Vegas This Week at Home

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


'RUNNERS REWIND: The Phoenix RoadRunners suffered a 6-3 setback Saturday to the Las Vegas Wranglers in their only game during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. With a record of 9-8-2 and 20 points, the RoadRunners are in fourth place in the West Division and sixth in the National Conference.

Saturday, Adam Miller and Shawn Limpright each had a goal and two assists as they led the Las Vegas Wranglers over the Phoenix RoadRunners 6-3 in front of 3,741 fans at US Airways Center.

The RoadRunners (9-8-2) opened up scoring with two quick goals in the first period. The first was scored by Daniel Sisca, who scored five-hole on Wrangler goalie John DeCaro from in front of the crease at 1:03. Dane Crowley and Gino Guyer had the assists. Then at 2:51 Ashton Rome netted a pass from Matt Fornataro from the right circle, giving Phoenix a 2-0 lead. Peder Skinner had the other assist.

The Wranglers (7-7-2) notched their first goal at 12:34 of the first when Justin Taylor scored from the left of RoadRunners' tender Craig Kowalski off a pass from Limpright. Las Vegas then tied the game at 2-2 when Peter Ferraro scored at 14:48, one second after a power play expired. Bret Tyler and Chris Ferraro had the assists as the score remained tied going into the first intermission.

"We had a good start, but we have to stay committed to the program," RoadRunners Head Coach Brad Church said. "We have to play as a team and a few guys aren't buying in."

Las Vegas was able to take the lead in the second period when Miller scored off a backhand shot from the slot at 12:17. J.D. Watt and Limpright assisted. At 16:22 the Wranglers took a 4-2 lead when Limpright scored to the right of Kowalski off a rebound by Miller. Mike Hamilton had the other assist. Then at 18:30 Chris Neiszner scored top-shelf off a pass from Taylor on the power play to take a 5-2 lead. Tyler added the other assist as Las Vegas took a three-goal lead into the locker room at second intermission while they outshot Phoenix 33-17 in 40 minutes of play.

"We made too many mistakes," Church said. "We knew going in we needed to be sharp through the neutral zone but we didn't execute our game plan."

The RoadRunners came out first in the third period when Fornataro netted the biscuit from the top right circle off a pass from Michael Wilson, making the score 5-3 Wranglers. But Las Vegas made the final play when Miller centered a pass to Tyler Mosienko who scored from the slot at 15:30, which made the final score 6-3.

Las Vegas out-shot Phoenix 39-36. Kowalski stopped 33 shots but fell to 6-6-1 on the season with the loss. The RoadRunners went 0-5 with the power play while Las Vegas was 1-8 with the man-advantage.

ROME WAS BUILT FOR LAS VEGAS: Forward Ashton Rome has six goals in four games against the Las Vegas Wranglers this season, including his first career hat-trick back on Nov. 18. Rome currently leads the RoadRunners with 10 goals and two game-winning tallies, and is third overall on the club in scoring with 15 points in 19 games.

SISCA RISING: With a pair of power play goals against Fresno and the RoadRunners' opening tally Saturday against Las Vegas, center Daniel Sisca has goals in consecutive games for the first time this season. Sisca has recorded at least a point in five out of his last six games and has three goals and four assists over that stretch. The Woodbridge, Ontario native and fifth-year professional wrapped up a strong month of November with four goals and 10 points in 13 games. Sisca set the RoadRunners' ECHL single-season scoring mark last year with 42 assists and 60 points.

POWER PLAY BACK ON: After going 3-43 (6.9%) on the power play over a seven game sequence from Nov. 3-18, the RoadRunners are 6-25 (24%) on the man-advantage in their last five games. Phoenix is currently tied for 16th in the ECHL on the power play operating at an even 15%. At home, the RoadRunners have 13 power play goals and are converting at a 17.3% efficiency rate.

WON'T BACK DOWN: The RoadRunners rank third in the ECHL in penalty minutes per game averaging 25.32 minutes per contest and tied for third with 25 major penalties. Rookie forward James McEwan leads the ECHL with 10 major penalties and is second overall with 80 penalty minutes. Fresno leads the ECHL in both penalty minutes per game average (27.61) and major penalties (35).

NEWS & NOTES: Linemates Ashton Rome and Matt Fornataro have combined for 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in their last six games...The RoadRunners snapped a five-game streak Saturday of allowing at least 40 shots on goal...Phoenix is 6-4-2 in this current stretch of 14 out of 16 games against the Pacific Division that began back on Oct. 31 and ends with two games against Las Vegas this week. The RoadRunners will next play four straight games against divisional opponents with two contests apiece against Victoria and Utah.

WATCH THE 'RUNNERS LIVE IN '08-09: The RoadRunners have teamed up with B2 Networks to bring you live action of Phoenix RoadRunners hockey in 2008-09. 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 72 RoadRunners broadcasts will be available on-line. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.

UP NEXT: The RoadRunners continue their three-game home-stand and three-game series with Las Vegas as they welcome the Wranglers to US Airways Center at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. Catch both broadcasts live at www.phxroadrunners.com beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" twenty minutes prior to face-off. 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.

PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS SCHEDULE WEEK OF DECEMBER 1ST

Monday, Dec. 1: Practice 10AM-11:30AM @ Alltel Ice Den

Tuesday, Dec. 2: Practice 10AM-11:30AM @ Alltel Ice Den

Wednesday, Dec. 3: Morning skate 10AM-11AM; Phoenix vs. Las Vegas 7:05PM

Thursday, Dec. 4: Practice 10AM-11:30AM @ Alltel Ice Den

Friday, Dec. 5: Morning skate 10AM-11AM; Phoenix vs. Las Vegas 7:05PM

Saturday, Dec 6: Practice 10AM-11:30AM @ Alltel Ice Den

Sunday, Dec 7: Off Day

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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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