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Roadrunners Begin Eight Game Home Stand

December 15, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Edmonton Road Runners News Release


The Toronto Roadrunners begin an eight game home stand this week, playing three games in four nights. The Roadrunners start the week when they host the Philadelphia Phantoms for the first time ever on Thursday, December 18th. The Roadrunners are back in action the very next night, as they face North Division rivals, the St. John's Maple Leafs. The Roadrunners conclude the week on Sunday, December 21st, when the Cleveland Barons visit the Ricoh Coliseum.

The Roadrunners played two games last week, earning a record of one win and one loss. The Roadrunners defeated the Chicago Wolves 5-1 at Ricoh Coliseum on Thursday, December 11th, and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Americans in Rochester on Saturday, December 13th.

Roadrunners on Three Game Home Winning Streak

The Roadrunners extended their home-winning streak to a season high three games, as they defeated the Chicago Wolves 5-1 on December 11th at Ricoh Coliseum.

Lynch Records Three Assists

Roadrunners defenceman Doug Lynch became the first Roadrunner to record three assists in a game when he earned three helpers in a 5-1 win over the Chicago Wolves on Thursday, December 11th. Lynch is tied for ninth in scoring among defencemen with 4g-10a-14pts in 25 games.

Cullen and Thompson Record First Points of the Season

Roadrunners forward Joe Cullen and defenceman Rocky Thompson both recorded their first points of the year on Thursday, December 11th in a 5-1 win over the Chicago Wolves. Thompson recorded two assists, while Cullen recorded an assist to earn the first point of his AHL career. Thompson then scored his first goal of the year on Saturday, December 13th, in a 3-2 loss to the Americans in Rochester.

Rita Continues Point Streak

Roadrunners forward Jani Rita is on a five game point streak (3 goals, 2 assists), which ties him with Mike Bishai for the longest point streak in franchise history.

Roadrunners Season Individual Leaders

Goals: Jamie Wright (11) Wins: Morrison, Valiquette (4)

Assists: Jani Rita, Doug Lynch (10) Appearances: Stephen Valiquette (12)

Points: Jamie Wright, Jani Rita (18) GAA: Michael Morrison (2.30)

PIM: Rocky Thompson (89) Save Percentage: Morrison, Valiquette (0.915) +/-: Jani Rita (+10)

The Week Ahead

Roadrunners vs. Philadelphia Phantoms - Thursday, December 18th - Ricoh Coliseum - 7:00 PM

The Roadrunners host the Phantoms for the first time ever in the second of two meetings between these two clubs this season ... the Roadrunners defeated the Phantoms 4-2 on October 18th in the only other meeting between the clubs this season ... Nate DiCasmirro led Toronto's offensive attack with 2 goals and one assist ... Roadrunners forward Jamie Wright appeared in 33 games for the Phantoms last year, recording 10g-14a-24pts and 31 penalty minutes ... Philadelphia forward Kirby Law is tied for sixth in the league in scoring with 11g-15a-26pts in 29 games played ... the Phantoms have the league's seventh ranked power play, operating at 16.3% (24 goals in 147 opportunities) ...Philadelphia has allowed the fifth fewest goals per game, giving up an average of just 2.28 goals each game

NEXT MEETING: PLAYOFFS / NEXT SEASON

Roadrunners vs. St. John's Maple Leafs - Friday, December 19th - Ricoh Coliseum - 7:00 PM

This game marks the second of 12 meetings between these two clubs this season ... the Roadrunners dropped a 6-4 decision to St. John's on November 2nd at the Ricoh Coliseum ... Jani Rita (1g-1a), Mike Bishai (1g-1a) and Dan Tessier (2a) led the Roadrunners offensively against St. John's ... Jeff Daw (1g-2a), Harold Druken (2g) and Karel Pilar (2a) led the Maple Leafs offensive attack against the Roadrunners ... St. John's forward Kyle Wellwood leads all rookies and is tied for seventh overall in league scoring with 4g-22a-26pts in 31 games ... St. John's has scored the fifth most goals per game this year, recording an average of 2.84 goal each game

NEXT MEETING: Friday, January 2nd, at Toronto

Roadrunners vs. Cleveland Barons - Sunday, December 21st - Ricoh Coliseum - 5:00 PM

The Roadrunners and Barons meet for the fourth time this season, with the Roadrunners earning a record of 2-0-1-0 against the Barons ... Roadrunners forwards Mike Bishai (3g-2a) and Jani Rita (1g-4a) have led the Roadrunners offensively against the Barons ... Miroslav Zalesak (2g-4a) has led the Barons offensively against the Roadrunners ... Zalesak is fourth in league scoring with 11g-19a-30pts in 25 games played ... Cleveland has the fourth best power play in the league, operating at 18.1% (21 goals in 116 opportunities)

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 27th, at Cleveland

Roadrunners' Schedule This Week

Thurs. Dec. 18 Philadelphia Phantoms at Toronto Roadrunners - Ricoh Coliseum - 7:00 PM

Fri. Dec. 19 St. John's Maple Leafs at Toronto Roadrunners - Ricoh Coliseum - 7:00 PM

Sat. Dec. 21 Cleveland Barons at Toronto Roadrunners - Ricoh Coliseum - 5:00 PM

Last Week's Results Date Opponent Score GWG Roadrunners/ Opponent Goaltending ATT.

Dec. 11 Chicago W 5-1 Rita Valiquette (1GA, 24 SV)/ Cassivi (5GA, 35 SV) 2,842

Dec. 13 at Rochester L 2-3 Valiquette (3GA, 31 SV)/ Askey (2GA, 24 SV) 8,199

Roadrunners vs. St. John's Live on The Score

Toronto Roadrunners hockey is live on The Score on Friday, December 19th, at 7:00 PM, when the Roadrunners host the St. John's Maple Leafs.

Roadrunners Tickets

Fans can purchase tickets for Roadrunners home games at the Ricoh Coliseum Box Office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (416) 872-5000 or on the Internet by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. For group or season tickets, please call the Roadrunners' office at (416) 263-3900.

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