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RoadRunners head into break on winning note

January 21, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


'RUNNERS REWIND: The Phoenix RoadRunners captured two of a possible six points during a week-long three-game series with West Division rival Utah. With a record of 14-20-6 and 34 points, the RoadRunners are currently fifth in the West Division and eighth overall in the National Conference.

Wednesday, Ryan Kinasewich set a career-high and a club record with five assists and six points and Tyler Haskins contributed a hat-trick to lead the Utah Grizzlies over the Phoenix RoadRunners 6-3 before 2,866 at the "E"-Center.

Phoenix (13-19-6) jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Ryan Walsh and Peder Skinner. The RoadRunners opened the scoring just 1:54 into the contest when Daniel Sisca found an open Walsh in the slot, and Walsh whipped a shot past Utah net-minder Nathan Lawson for a 1-0 lead. Skinner extended the lead to two when he collected a rebound in front and put it right back behind the former RoadRunners' net-minder at 15:34.

The Grizzlies (18-16-3) roared back with a four-goal second period. Haskins began the attack with the first of his two goals in the frame as he tapped Ryan Kinasewichs' wrap around behind RoadRunners goalie Dave McKee 50 seconds into the period to cut the RoadRunners lead to 2-1. Kinasewich later netted the equalizer at 11:27 slipping the puck sitting just behind McKee in the crease into the empty-net to tie the score at 2-2. Garett Bembridge would give Utah their first lead of the game at 16:05 on the power play driving James Sanford's rebound through McKee's pads for a 3-2 advantage. Haskins closed the scoring when he received Kinasewich's cross-ice pass at the side of the net and stuck the puck into upper right corner at 17:31 on the power play.

Olivier Labelle gave the Grizzlies a commanding 5-2 lead just 1:10 into the third period. The RoadRunners got one back when Gino Guyer chipped Corey LeClair's rebound into the back of the net at 18:34 on the power play, but that's as close as they would come. Haskins completed the hat-trick with an empty-net goal at 19:37.

Utah out-shot Phoenix 44-42. McKee stopped 38 shots but fell to 3-5-3 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-7 on the power play while Utah was 2-10 with the man-advantage.

Friday, center Gino Guyer had a goal and two assists and defenseman Chris Murray recorded the first three-assist game of his career, but the Phoenix RoadRunners' late rally came up short as they fell to the Utah Grizzlies 6-5 before 3,352 at the "E"-Center.

For the second consecutive game the RoadRunners (13-20-6) struck first as Peder Skinner found the back of the net 2:26 into the game to give Phoenix a 1-0 lead. Utah responded 55 seconds later when Justin Johnson scored his second goal of the season at 3:21 of the first to tie the game at 1-1. Skinner gave the RoadRunners the lead right back scoring his second goal of the period at 7:37 on the power play to make it a 2-1 game. Utah (19-16-3) then took control of the game scoring the next five goals, including two at the end of the first period. Tyler Haskins scored his first of three goals on the night at 11:38 of the period and James Sanford notched a power play goal at 18:06 to give the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead at the end of twenty minutes.

Utah stormed out of the gates in the second period with three goals in the first nine minutes. Haskins scored consecutive goals at 1:52 and 6:59 of the second to complete the hat-trick, and Sanford ended RoadRunners' goalie Cody Rudkowsky's night when he was credited with a second power play goal at 8:46 of the period that kicked off a RoadRunners' skate and trickled into the net. Phoenix began their comeback on the ensuing face-off as Gino Guyer potted his sixth goal of the season beating Utah goalie Mike Mole to the far side of the net at 8:54. Mitch Carefoot got the RoadRunners to within two goals at 6-4 before the conclusion of the second when he re-directed Murray's shot from the blue line through the pads of Mole at 19:23.

During a tough third period in which the RoadRunners out-played Utah on a consistent basis, Phoenix finally broke through when Guyer tapped the puck to newcomer Nathan Gillies in front of the net, and Gillies lifted the puck over Mole's left shoulder and into the cage at 16:53 to cut the deficit to a single tally. However, the RoadRunners rally would end there as Phoenix could not muster the equalizer.

Phoenix out-shot Utah 35-25. Rudkowsky stopped 14 shots and took the decision falling to 7-14-3 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-3 on the power play while Utah was 2-3 with the man-advantage.

Saturday, rookie center Mitch Carefoot produced the first multi-goal game of his professional career and goaltender Dave McKee made 46 saves to propel the Phoenix RoadRunners to a 4-2 win over the Utah Grizzlies before 5,955 at the "E"-Center.

As they did in the opening game of this series, Phoenix (14-20-6) scored twice in the first period to build a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. Daniel Sisca opened the scoring at 6:47 on a five-on-three power play beating Utah goalie Nathan Lawson with a long shot from just the outside the left-wing circle. Carefoot gave the RoadRunners a 2-0 advantage with his first of two goals on the evening when he whipped the puck into an open net from the right wall with Lawson out of position at 10:37.

The RoadRunners continued their attack into the second period as Ryan Walsh stuffed Scott Kelman's rebound through the pads of Lawson at 2:10 giving Phoenix a 3-0 lead. Carefoot scored his second goal of the night off Peder Skinner's rebound from the right-wing circle as he beat Lawson over the left shoulder at 12:24 on the power play for a commanding 4-0 edge. Utah (19-17-3) finally would break through RoadRunners' goalie Dave McKee as Tyler Haskins finished a nifty two-on-one play with Ryan Kinasewich tapping the puck behind McKee and into the net at 16:58 of the second period to cut the Phoenix lead to 4-1.

Keith Johnson got the Grizzlies to within two goals when he tipped Garett Bembridge's centering pass through McKee's pads and in at 10:07 of the third period, but that's as close as Utah would come.

Utah out-shot Phoenix 48-33. The RoadRunners went 2-5 on the power play while Utah was 0-6 with the man-advantage.

ROOKIES ON THE RISE: RoadRunners' rookies enjoyed a stellar week in Utah. Center Peder Skinner led the way recording a point in all three games and finishing the series with three goals and five points. Skinner, who will represent Phoenix at the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game this week, is tied for 14th overall among ECHL rookies with 10 goals and 30 points in 40 games. Forward Mitch Carefoot kept pace producing consecutive multiple-point games for the first time in his career and registering three goals and five points as well. Center Ryan Walsh notched the second game-winning goal of his North American career helping to propel the RoadRunners to their lone win of the week. Defenseman Chris Murray continued his torrid play against Utah collecting five assists in the three games, including the first three-assist game of his pro career. Murray now has nine assists in eight games against the Grizzlies this season.

"POWER"-FUL ROAD PLAY: The RoadRunners notched their sixth multiple power play goal effort on the road Saturday with a pair of markers on the man advantage. With 24 goals in 120 power play attempts, Phoenix is converting at an even 20% on the power play away from US Airways Center, which is good for the fifth best road power play in the ECHL.

THREE'S A CHARM: Phoenix is 10-3-0 when allowing three goals or less as compared to 4-17-6 when they surrender more than three goals.

ECHL ALL-STAR GAME SET FOR WEDNESDAY: The 2008 Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game will be played at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. The telecast of the game can be seen live on NHL Network and online at B2 Networks free of charge by logging on to ECHL.com or phxroadrunners.com.

NEWS & NOTES: Peder Skinner (three goals, eight assists) and Gino Guyer (four goals, seven assists) each have 11 points in their last 10 games...Goalie Dave McKee has allowed just seven goals in his last three appearances, good for a 2.81 goals against average...Defenseman Ian Turner was placed on the three-day injured reserve prior to Saturday's game. Center Thatcher Bell is currently on the seven-day injured reserve...The RoadRunners have scored the first goal in four out of their last five games. Phoenix is 11-5-5 when scoring first.

WATCH THE 'RUNNERS LIVE IN '07-08: The RoadRunners have teamed up with B2 Networks to bring you live action of Phoenix RoadRunners hockey in 2006-07. 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 36 RoadRunners home broadcasts will be available in addition to over 25 road games in Alaska, Idaho, Las Vegas, Stockton, Utah, and Bakersfield. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.

UP NEXT: The RoadRunners take three days off for the annual ECHL All-Star Break before returning to the ice at 8:00 p.m. Friday in Bakersfield and at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Stockton. Catch Saturday's game live on Independent 1310 KXAM, and both contests 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 2007-08 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.



ECHL Stories from January 21, 2008


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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