RoadRunners Quiet Thunder 5-3

Published on March 3, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - Mark O'Leary had two goals and an assist as he led the Phoenix RoadRunners over the Stockton Thunder 5-3 Tuesday night in front of 2,010 fans at US Airways Center.

Stockton (27-27-5) opened up scoring at 2:39 of the first period when Ryan MacMurchy caught RoadRunners' goalie Kyle Jones out of his net and scored from the right circle. Sebastien Bisaillon and Daryl Marcoux assisted. The RoadRunners (26-26-3) tied up the game at 5:07 when O'Leary passed the puck across the slot to James McEwan who scored to the left of Thunder goalie Andrew Perugini. Gord Burnett had the other assist. Phoenix took a 2-1 lead at 9:46 when O'Leary shot the puck off the glass and it bounced back to the net and in off of Perugini.

"We had a good start; the guys stepped up," RoadRunners' Head Coach Brad Church said. "The line of Guyer, O'Leary and McEwan was real good for us tonight."

The RoadRunners went up 3-1 at 3:52 of the second period when John McNabb scored off a rebound by Mitch Carefoot on the power play. Daniel Sisca also assisted. Stockton came within one goal of Phoenix at 7:15 when Mike Lalonde scored off a rebound on the power play with a two-man advantage. Ryan Huddy and Cory Urquhart had the assists. The RoadRunners took a 4-2 lead at 9:35 when O'Leary capitalized on a Thunder turnover and scored a wrap-around goal shorthanded.

"I'm a big believer in hockey being an honest game," Church said. "When you work hard and play hard, honest breaks go your way."

Matt Burke gave Phoenix a three-goal lead at 16:13 when he rifled a shot from the left point past Perugini. Carefoot and Merit Waldrop assisted as the RoadRunners took the lead into the locker room at intermission.

Stockton started the third period with a goaltender change, replacing Perugini with Bryan Pitton. The Thunder was able to score at 14:32 when MacMurchy capitalized on a RoadRunners' turnover and scored from the slot, but it wouldn't be enough as Phoenix held off Stockton for the win.

"We need to bring the same game (tomorrow night)," Church said of the rematch between the two teams Wednesday night. "This is a team we're in a playoff race with and we need to play smart and disciplined."

Stockton out-shot Phoenix 38-25. Jones stopped 25 shots to earn the victory and improve to 6-10-1 overall on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-5 on the power play while Stockton was 1-7 with the man-advantage.

Notes: The RoadRunners set an ECHL club record with their 16th home win of the season...Forward Dan DaSilva was recalled to Worcester of the American Hockey League prior to Tuesday's game...Forward Ashton Rome was a scratch due to an undisclosed upper body injury.

The RoadRunners return to US Airways Center at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday when they conclude a two-game series with the Stockton Thunder.

Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online at ticketmaster.com or visiting the US Airways Center Box Office. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.

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