RoadRunners split two-game set with Idaho

October 27, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


'RUNNERS REWIND: The Phoenix RoadRunners split a two-game series with the Idaho Steelheads last week at US Airways Center losing 3-1 Wednesday and coming back to win 2-1 Friday. With a record of 3-2-0 and 6 points, the RoadRunners are currently tied for 1st in both the West Division and the National Conference.

Wednesday, the RoadRunners got on the board first but suffered three unanswered goals as they lost to the Idaho Steelheads 3-1 in front of 2,151 fans at US Airways Center.

The RoadRunners (2-2-0) got off to a quick start when Andrew Desjardins scored a power play goal 58 seconds into the game from in front of the crease off a rebound by Mitch Carefoot. Kimbi Daniels had the other assist, giving Phoenix a 1-0 lead.

"He scored a big goal early," Head Coach Brad Church said of Desjardins. "But (overall) we were out-worked, we were out-played, and it was a pretty embarrassing effort."

Phoenix started off the second period on a power play from a 5-minute major spearing penalty on Steelheads' defenseman Matt Stephenson that carried over from the end of the first, but the RoadRunners were not able to capitalize. After much neutral zone play, Idaho (1-0-1) was able to get on the board at 16:07 when Brent Shepheard scored an unassisted wrap-around goal, tying the game at 1-all.

The Steelheads came out in the third period with an early goal by Garett Bembridge from in front of the crease at 1:43. Ben Nelson and Steve Gainey had the assists on the go-ahead goal that gave Idaho a 2-1 lead. Then at 4:59 of the third, Marty Flichel scored a power play goal from the top of the left circle off a pass from Gainey. Bembridge had the other assist as the Steelheads went up 3-1, which would end up being the final score.

Phoenix outshot Idaho 32-26 in the loss. RoadRunners' goalie Gerald Coleman had 23 saves while Steelhead rookie Matt Climie had 31 saves.

Friday, Kimbi Daniels had a goal and an assist as the RoadRunners defeated the Idaho Steelheads 2-1 at US Airways Center in front of 3,103 fans.

Daniels started off the scoring early for Phoenix (3-2-0) when he scored a 4-on-4 goal at 3:27 of the first period from in front of the crease of Steelhead goalie Rejean Beauchemin. T.J. Campbell and Brett Thurston had the assists, giving the RoadRunners a 1-0 lead.

"We got (Daniels) because he is a dynamic player at this level," Head Coach Brad Church said. "He's well-conditioned, he's smart, and he's a good player."

The RoadRunners outshot Idaho (1-1-1) 11-4 in the first, controlling the puck for most of the period. The second period was played with very few whistles, allowing both teams to keep the play going but neither were able to notch a tally on the board as Phoenix held their 1-0 lead after two periods.

The Steelheads tied up the game at 1-1 5:37 into the third period when Garett Bembridge fed a pass to Ben Nelson who scored to the right of RoadRunners' goalie Craig Kowalski. The RoadRunners were able to come back though when Peder Skinner scored from the top of the right circle at 12:06, giving Phoenix a 2-1 lead that held till the end of the game. Daniels had the assist.

"I think of the five, we've really only had one bad game," Church said of the RoadRunners first five games of the season, adding that Wednesday night against the Steelheads was probably their worst showing. "It's encouraging to see a response after such a poor effort."

Kowalski had 27 saves in his second win of the season, while Beauchemin posted 26.

DOING IT WITH "D": The RoadRunners have allowed just 10 goals through their first five games of the season and their 2.00 goals against average per game currently ranks second in the ECHL. Phoenix is also 10th in the league in shots against per game surrendering an average of just 29.4 shots on goal through the first five games. However, since allowing 41 shots on goal on opening night, the RoadRunners have given up just 26.5 shots in their last four games and have held the opposition to under 30 shots in each of those contests.

MORE SPECIAL "D": On top of their strong defensive numbers, the RoadRunners currently sport the best penalty kill in the ECHL having allowed just one power play goal on 30 chances through their first five games, which translates to a 96.7% efficiency rate. The best that Phoenix has ever finished on the penalty kill was the 83.2% clip achieved last season. On the flip side, the RoadRunners have scored at least one power play goal in each game to date and currently rank ninth in the league with an 18.8% efficiency rate.

DANIELS STILL GOING AND GOING: RoadRunners' center Kimbi Daniels followed up his opening week performance in which he captured In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week honors by tallying a goal and adding two assists in week two to extend his season-opening scoring streak to five games. Daniels has three goals and eight points to lead the RoadRunners in scoring and ranks 10th overall in the ECHL scoring race.

MCEWAN DEBUTS: Forward James McEwan was activated off the injured reserve and made his professional debut Friday against Idaho. McEwan served as captain of the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League last season and attended training camp with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League.

NEWS & NOTES: Defenseman Brett Thurston's assist Friday was his first point since scoring a goal on Jan. 29, 2008 as a member of the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League...Rookie defenseman T.J. Campbell collected his first professional point with an assist Friday...The RoadRunners have scored the opening goal in four out of their first five games and are 3-1 in those contests. Overall, ECHL clubs are 27-16-6 this season when scoring the first goal...Phoenix is a perfect 3-0-0 when leading after two periods...Beginning Friday, the RoadRunners will begin a stretch of six straight games and 14 out of 16 against the Pacific Division through Dec. 11. The only divisional rival Phoenix will meet during that stretch are the Victoria Salmon Kings Nov. 14 & 15 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

WATCH THE 'RUNNERS LIVE IN '08-09: The RoadRunners have teamed up with B2 Networks to bring you live action of Phoenix RoadRunners hockey in 2008-09. 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 72 RoadRunners broadcasts will be available on-line. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.

UP NEXT: The RoadRunners wrap up their season-opening six-game home-stand and play their first road game of the 2008-09 season this week as they face-off against the ECHL's newest member, the Ontario Reign in a home-and-home series at 7:05 p.m. Friday at US Airways Center and at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. 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. Catch Saturday's road contest on Independent 1310 KXAM and both games live 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 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.



ECHL Stories from October 27, 2008


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