RoadRunners Keep On Winning

Published on November 20, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - WEEK RECORD 2-1-0 - SEASON RECORD 8-7-0 - 2ND WEST DIVISION

'RUNNERS REWIND: The Phoenix RoadRunners continued their winning ways by picking up a pair of home victories against Las Vegas and Long Beach. With a record of 8-7-0 and 16 points, the RoadRunners are currently second in the West Division and fifth overall in the National Conference. Phoenix is four points behind division leader Idaho and five points behind conference leader Las Vegas. The top eight teams in the National Conference advance to the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Tuesday, Scott May netted the equalizer with 8.6 seconds remaining in regulation and goaltender Kevin Reiter stopped all four Las Vegas shooters in the shootout to lift the Phoenix RoadRunners to a come-from-behind 6-5 shootout victory before 2,780 at US Airways Center.

The Wranglers (4-1-7) built a 3-0 first period lead and even scored twice in the opening minute of regulation. Steve Crampton opened the scoring on the first shift of the game as he tipped a centering pass from Shawn Limpright past Reiter 0:12 seconds into the contest to for a 1-0 lead. Marco Peluso scored 43 seconds later at the 0:55 second mark of the first to extend the Wranglers' lead to 2-0. Derek Edwardson beat Reiter with a shot from the half wall on the left wing at 18:02 to make it 3-0 Las Vegas after one period.

The RoadRunners (7-6-0) regained some of the momentum back as Lance Monych collected his own rebound and fired a shot through the pads of Las Vegas goaltender Kevin Nastiuk at 3:46 of the second period to cut their deficit to 3-1. But Aki Seitsonen gave the Wranglers a 4-1 lead with his second goal of the season at 18:39 of the second.

Phoenix would claw to within a single goal at 4-3 on even strength goals 35 seconds apart from Monych and Justin Aikins and 5:40 and 6:15 of the third period respectively. Yet Seitsonen netted his second of the game at 13:31 on the power play to extend the Las Vegas lead back to two goals at 5-3. Alexandre Rouleau found the back of the net from the right-wing circle 1:22 seconds after Seitsonen's goal at 14:53 to slice the deficit to 5-4 and set up May's last second heroics.

After a scoreless overtime, Aikins and Monych tallied goals in the shootout to give the RoadRunners the win.

Phoenix out-shot Las Vegas 35-30. Reiter stopped 25 shots to improve to 3-2-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-5 on the power play while Las Vegas was 1-7.

Saturday, Brandon Schwartz broke a 1-1 tie in the third period and goaltender Mike Brown stopped 25 shots to lead the Long Beach Ice Dogs to a 3-1 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 3,228 at Long Beach Arena.

Long Beach (4-8-2) opened the scoring with a power play goal at 12:45 of the first period. Mark Hurtubise re-directed Ash Goldie's point shot over the glove of RoadRunners goaltender Cody Rudkowsky to give the Ice Dogs a 1-0 lead.

The RoadRunners (7-7-0) would net the equalizer in the final minute of the second period. Brian Yandle snuck a shot form the right point through traffic and by the glove of Ice Dogs goaltender Mike Brown at 19:22 on the power play to tie the game at 1-1.

Schwartz tallied the go-ahead and eventual game-winner off a deflection set up by T.J. Trevelyan at 9:31 of the third period. Goldie added some insurance with a rebound goal in front of Rudkowsky at 12:37 to cap the scoring.

Long Beach out-shot Phoenix 30-26. Rudkowsky stopped 27 shots but dropped to 0-1-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-8 on the power play while Long Beach was 1-9.

Sunday, Jeff Kyrzakos and Liam Lindstrom each scored their first goal of the season to lead the Phoenix RoadRunners to a 3-1 victory over the Long Beach Ice Dogs before 3,279 at US Airways Center.

The RoadRunners (8-7-0) jumped out of the gate quickly with 17 of the first 21 shots on goal and the opening two tallies. Brian Yandle struck first when he collected Brock Hooton's rebound and slapped it by Long Beach goaltender Mike Brown just 0:38 seconds into the contest to give the RoadRunners a 1-0 lead. Kyrzakos made it 2-0 with his first professional goal, backhanding the loose puck by Brown from the slot at 9:19 of the first on the power play.

Lindstrom gave Phoenix a 3-0 cushion when he snapped the puck from the left-wing boards over the blocker of Brown at 10:58 of the second period.

Ash Goldie broke-up Kevin Reiter's shutout with a power play goal at 12:00 of the third period but the Ice Dogs (4-9-2) would come no closer.

Phoenix out-shot Long Beach 40-27. Reiter stopped 26 shots to improve to 4-2-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-5 on the power play while Long Beach was also 1-5.

HOME SWEET HOME: The RoadRunners are currently riding a four-game home winning streak at US Airways Center. It's the first time in their brief ECHL history that Phoenix has won four consecutive games on home ice. The six home wins are the second most in the ECHL only behind Toledo's seven victories at the Toledo Sports Arena.

REITER HAS BEEN RIGHT ON: Goaltender Kevin Reiter has won three consecutive starts and is currently 4-2-0 on the season with a 3.46 goals against average and a .893% save percentage. In three out of his four victories this season, Reiter has allowed just four goals and has stopped 107 of 111 shots, a .963% save percentage. The Pittsburgh, Penn. native and third-year professional leads all ECHL goaltenders in shootout save percentage.

MAY'S STREAK ENDS: Center Scott May saw his season and team-high five-game scoring streak come to an end Sunday. May tallied three goals and added three assists during the streak and leads the RoadRunners in scoring with eight goals and 18 points through 15 games.

POWER CURRENT: The RoadRunners have notched a power play goal in a club-record six straight games, and have been held without a power play goal only twice in 15 games this season. Phoenix has tallied 23 power play goals this season which is third most in the ECHL behind Johnstown and Texas.

NEWS & NOTES: Rookies Jeff Kyrzakos and Liam Lindstrom notched their first goals of the season Sunday...Kyrzakos was activated off the three-day injured reserve prior to Sunday's game and replaced on injured reserve by forward Joe Dusbabek...Defenseman Alexandre Rouleau played in his 200th career game Sunday against Long Beach.

TOSS THOSE TEDDY BEARS: The RoadRunners host the Long Beach Ice Dogs at 7:11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at US Airways Center for the annual "Teddy Bear Toss". Bring a teddy bear with you to the game and toss it onto the ice when the RoadRunners score their first goal. All teddy bears collected will be donated to the Head Start Program of Maricopa County just in time for the holiday season. Stuffington Bear Factory will also be out in the US Airways Center concourse selling teddy bears for $5.

Following the game, skate off your Thanksgiving turkey and join your favorite RoadRunners out on the US Airways Center ice for a FREE Post-Game Skate. Bring your own skates or we'll provide them while they last.

WATCH THE 'RUNNERS LIVE IN '06-07: 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 will enjoy a light week as they welcome the Long Beach Ice Dogs to US Airways Center at 7:11 p.m. Saturday for their lone game of this Thanksgiving holiday week. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. For more information or to order tickets call (602) 462-GOAL. Catch all the action live at www.phxroadrunners.com beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" 20 minutes prior to face-off.

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ECHL Stories from November 20, 2006


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