Roadrunners defeat Penguins

January 14, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Edmonton Road Runners News Release


WILKES-BARRE, PA - Michael Morrison made 36 saves in his first start since December 19 as the Toronto Roadrunners defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 5-2 at Wachovia Arena on Wednesday night.

The Roadrunners scored on their first shot of the game when forward Nate DiCasmirro broke in alone and beat Penguins netminder Andy Chiodo at 12:23 of the first period. Michel Ouellett scored with Wilkes-Barre on the power play at 15:54 of the opening frame to even the score at one. Toronto would regain the lead before the end of the period when Joe Cullen potted his fifth of the season just after a Roadrunners power play expired with 1:46 remaining in the first.

Jani Rita scored his ninth and tenth goals of the year in the second period to give Toronto a three-goal lead. Penguins forward Shane Endicott was awarded a penalty shot and tried to beat Roadrunners goaltender Michael Morrison through the five hole but was stopped. It was the first penalty shot faced by a Roadrunners goaltender in franchise history.

Penguins forward Kris Beech cut Toronto's lead to two goals when he scored his eleventh of the season at 7:07 of the third period. Tony Salmelainen rounded out the scoring, potting his eleventh of the season at 13:43.

Roadrunners forwards J.J. Hunter and Joe Cullen each with one goal and one assist, both recorded the first multipoint games of their AHL careers. Jani Rita (two goals) and Nate DiCasmirro (one goal, one assist) also had multipoint games for Toronto.

Between the pipes, Michael Morrison recorded his fifth win of the season for the Roadrunners and was named the game's first star. Andy Chiodo began the game for Wilkes-Barre, but was replaced at the start of the second period by Martin Brochu, before returning to the net for the third period. Brochu suffered the loss.

The Roadrunners were 0 for 5 on the power play, while the Penguins were 1 for 7.

The Toronto Roadrunners next action takes place Friday, January 16, when they travel to Syracuse to face the Crunch.

The Roadrunners next home action will take place on Sunday, January 25, when they host the Rochester Americans at 5:00 p.m.

Tickets for all Roadrunner home games are available 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.



American Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2004


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