Poganski Seals OT Win in Home Opener
AHL Tucson Roadrunners

Poganski Seals OT Win in Home Opener

Published on October 18, 2025 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Tucson Roadrunners News Release


Tucson, AZ - The 10th Home Opener in Tucson Roadrunners franchise history ended in thrilling fashion Saturday night, as the Roadrunners topped the Calgary Wranglers 5-4 in overtime at Tucson Arena.

After Calgary struck first just 43 seconds into the game, Tucson answered with four straight goals - including the first career AHL tallies for rookies Noel Nordh and Daniil But. Defenseman Max Szuber also notched his first goal of the season midway through the second period to give the Roadrunners a 4-1 lead heading into the final frame.

Calgary battled back with a pair of power-play goals from Hunter Brzustewicz and Rory Kerins to make it a one-goal game. Kerins later tied the contest at four in the final minute of regulation, forcing overtime.

In the extra frame, Roadrunners Captain Austin Poganski called game with 50 seconds left, firing a shot past former Tucson goaltender Ivan Prosvetov to seal the win.

The overtime victory marked Tucson's second win of the season, their sixth home-opening victory in franchise history, and their first since the 2022-23 campaign against Bakersfield.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Three Roadrunners have registered at least one point in each of the team's first three games after finding the score sheet on Saturday:

Cameron Hebig: 4 points (2g, 2a), goals in consecutive games.

Kevin Rooney: 3 points (2g, 1a), including an assist on Nordh's goal.

Ben McCartney: 4 points (1g, 3a); has an assist in all three games.

Two of Tucson's three games have gone to extra time, with the Roadrunners winning both.

Matthew Villalta earned his second win in as many starts to remain perfect with a 2-0 record on the season. His 30 saves were team-season high.

Villalta now needs just three wins to tie Ivan Prosvetov for 2nd all-time in franchise history (54).

With Hebig's goal, he now needs just five goals to tie Michael Carcone for 2nd all-time in franchise history (70).

Roadrunners forward Cameron Hebig scores for the second consecutive game in the first period of Saturday's overtime victory. (photo: Kate Dibildox/Tucson Roadrunners).

THE RUNDOWN

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST PERIOD

Tucson didn't get the start it wanted, as Calgary's Matvei Gridin opened the scoring just 37 seconds into the game with a wraparound that slipped past Matthew Villalta.

Villalta quickly settled in, robbing both Dryden Hunt and Aydar Suniev within 17 seconds to keep it a one-goal game. After both goaltenders traded big stops, tensions started to rise between the Pacific Division rivals.

The Roadrunners' pressure paid off midway through the frame when Cameron Hebig buried his second goal of the season in front of the net to tie the game 1-1.

Moments later, Tucson's rookies stole the spotlight. Noel Nordh scored his first career AHL goal in highlight-reel fashion, backhanding a shot from his knees past Ivan Prosvetov to give Tucson its first lead of the night. Just two minutes later, Daniil But froze Prosvetov with a slick deke and slid the puck home to make it 3-1.

Prosvetov made a glove save on Austin Poganski late in the period to prevent further damage, but Tucson carried all the momentum - and a 3-1 lead - into the first intermission.

SECOND PERIOD

Tucson continued to dictate the pace early, generating several quality looks that were turned aside by Prosvetov.

Sammy Walker and Cameron Hebig came close on Tucson's lone power play of the frame, ringing one off the post. At the other end, Villalta continued his strong play with a glove save on Jeremie Poirier midway through the period.

Neither team could convert on their power plays, but Tucson extended its lead late in the frame when Max Szuber snuck a shot past Prosvetov's blocker to make it 4-1.

The Roadrunners closed out the period with a three-goal cushion and headed to the third on the penalty kill after shutting down Calgary's offense for a full 20 minutes.

THIRD PERIOD

Calgary made things interesting early, scoring a pair of power-play goals from defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz to cut the deficit to two. Rory Kerins added another power-play tally midway through the period to make it 4-3.

Tucson nearly regained the momentum when Sammy Walker rang a shorthanded backhander off the post around the 10-minute mark. The Roadrunners then came up empty on a late 5-on-3 advantage.

With 37 seconds left in regulation, Kerins struck again to tie the game 4-4 and force overtime for the second time this season.

OVERTIME

The Roadrunners failed to capitalize on a power play early on into the overtime.

Wranglers Dryden Hunt had the only chance to secure a comeback victory only to be denied by the left pad of Villalta.

Captain Austin Poganski was the hero, with his goal in overtime, with a wrister past Prosvestov's right shoulder resulting in a 5-4 win for Tucson over Calgary.

Poganski's goal marked the Roadrunners' second win of the season.

UP NEXT

The Roadrunners will wrap up the series against the Wranglers on Sunday. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m. MST. Tickets can be purchased using the link here. Fans can listen to the games live on KXEW 1600 AM and the iHeartRadio app and watch on AHLtv on FloHockey.

Check out the Tucson Roadrunners Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2025


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