RoadRunners Rally Past Reign 4-2
March 21, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Phoenix RoadRunners erased a 2-1 deficit with three third period goals and defeated the Ontario Reign 4-2 to set a new ECHL franchise record for single season victories before a sell-out crowd of 9, 644 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in ECHL action Saturday.
Following a scoreless first period, Ontario (35-27-5) struck for two quick goals in the first four minutes of the second to take a 2-0 lead. Bud Holloway punched home a power play goal through RoadRunners' goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu at 2:44 of the period for a 1-0 advantage. Mike Howe extended the Reign's lead to two just 1:03 seconds later when he put back Tim Kraus's rebound by an out-stretched Beckford-Tseu at 3:47. The RoadRunners responded with a power play goal from Jim Jorgensen with 13.6 seconds remaining in the period to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the second intermission.
Phoenix (28-32-5) quickly turned that one goal deficit into a one goal lead getting a pair of goals 28 seconds apart in the sixth minute of the third period. Daniel Sisca netted the equalizer when his wrist shot from the right-wing circle caromed off the blocker of Reign goalie Linden Rowat, making his professional debut, and trickled into the back of the net at 5:06 of the third. Michael Cohen scored off the ensuing face-off leading a three-on-two rush up ice and snapping the puck past Rowat's blocker and in at 5:34 to give the RoadRunners a 3-2 lead and a lead they would not relinquish. Jeremy Swanson added a shorthanded goal with a delayed penalty against Ontario in effect at 15:40 of the third to cap off the scoring.
Ontario out-shot Phoenix 36-27. Beckford-Tseu stopped 34 shots to pick up the win and improve to 2-5-2 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-7 on the power play while Ontario was 1-7 with the man-advantage.
Notes: Phoenix pulled within seven points of idle fourth place Utah in the West Division with two games in hand and two head-to-head match-ups next week...The 28 wins surpassed the club's previous single season record win total of 27 set back in 2006-07...The RoadRunners concluded their inaugural season series 3-5-2 against Ontario...Holloway scored his seventh goal in four games against Phoenix...Phoenix won for the fourth time this season when trailing after two periods.
The RoadRunners continue a three-game road trip at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday with the opener of a two-game series against the Utah Grizzlies at the "E"-Center in West Valley City, Utah. Catch all the action live at www.phxroadrunners.com beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" at 5:45 p.m.
Phoenix returns to US Airways for the regular season home finale at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, March 28 when they welcome in the Alaska Aces.
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.
ECHL Stories from March 21, 2009
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- Aces Edge Wranglers 3-1 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Overtime thriller puts Condors in 3rd place - Bakersfield Condors
- Idaho scores three goals in second and third periods on way to 7-1 victory - Victoria Salmon Kings
- RoadRunners Rally Past Reign 4-2 - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Hay's four points lead the way as Idaho routs Victoria - Idaho Steelheads
- Royals Fall in Shootout In Wheeling, 5-4 - Reading Royals
- Nailers come back to defeat Royals in OT - Wheeling Nailers
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- Bombers Lose In OT 5-4 Against Gwinnett - Dayton Bombers
- Berge's Goal Lifts Stingrays Over Sea Wolves 3-2 in Overtime - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gladiators Post 5-4 Win over Bombers - Atlanta Gladiators
- Sea Wolves battle back but fall in OT - Mississippi Sea Wolves
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- Relay At The Rink Continues - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Game Preview: Ontario Reign Vs Phoenix - Ontario Reign
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Bakersfield Condors - Stockton Thunder
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- Bombers In Action at Historic Hobart Arena Tonight and Tomorrow Evening - Dayton Bombers
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Reign Drop Match To Wranglers, 2-5 - Ontario Reign
- Aces Slip Past RoadRunners 4-3 In A Shootout - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Salmon Kings Shutout Steelheads - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Alaska Strengthens Hold on First Place - Alaska Aces
- Wranglers Top Reign 5-2 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Condors keep rolling, 4-1 over Utah - Bakersfield Condors
- Road Weary Grizzlies Fall 4-1 In Bakersfield - Utah Grizzlies
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