RoadRunners Sweep Pensacola, Extend Win Streak

Published on February 6, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


‘RUNNERS REWIND: The Phoenix RoadRunners extended their season-high winning streak to five games with a two-game sweep of the Pensacola Ice Pilots in Florida last Thursday and Friday. The RoadRunners remain in sixth place in the West Division with 35 points, just a single point behind fifth place Victoria with three games in hand, and 15 points behind fourth place Utah for the final playoff spot in the West Division.

Thursday, Jake Riddle re-directed Shaun Fisher's wrist shot from the blue line 30 seconds into overtime to lift the Phoenix RoadRunners to a 3-2 victory over the Pensacola Ice Pilots before 1,987 at the Pensacola Civic Center.

The RoadRunners (15-24-3) opened the scoring just 8:41 into the first period. Joe Dusbabek dug the puck out of the side of the net and centered a pass across the slot to Ben Knopp who slapped it past Pensacola goaltender Todd Ford for a 1-0 lead.

Knopp extended the lead to 2-0 at 4:29 of the second. Sprung ahead at the right-wing circle by Dusbabek, Knopp slipped behind the Ice Pilots defense, corralled the puck, and flipped a wrist shot behind Ford for the tally. However, Pensacola (16-22-5) would counter with a pair of goals of their own to close out the period. Adam Courchaine beat RoadRunners goaltender Mike Mole with a backhander through the pads at 8:00 of the second on the power play to cut the deficit in half. Luke Fulghum netted the equalizer at 17:55 on a delayed penalty to tie the game at 2-2 heading into the second intermission.

A scoreless third period set up Riddle's dramatics in overtime. Riddle found his way to the front of the net and deflected Fisher's shot through traffic in between Ford's pads for the game-winning goal.

The RoadRunners and Pensacola each tallied 26 shots on goal. Mike Mole made 24 saves to improve to 11-18-3 on the season. Phoenix was 0-3 on the power play.

Friday, the Phoenix RoadRunners battled back from a two-goal deficit in the third period and Ben Knopp scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal at 11:54 to lift the RoadRunners to a 4-3 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots before 2,972 at the Pensacola Civic Center.

Nick Lindberg opened the scoring for Pensacola (16-23-5) 8:42 into the first period. Lindberg took a cross-ice pass from Luke Fulghum and buried the puck through RoadRunners goaltender Mike Mole to give the Ice Pilots a 1-0 lead.

Pensacola erupted for a pair of goals 14 seconds apart in the first 24 seconds of the middle period. Brendan Cook picked up the loose puck in front of Mole and slammed the rebound past the RoadRunners net-minder 10 seconds into the second to give the Ice Pilots a 2-0 lead. Cook made it a 3-0 advantage 14 seconds later on the power play when he snuck around the defense, came in front of Mole, and beat the goaltender with a shot over the blocker for the tally. Phoenix (16-24-3) would finally crack the scoreboard at 6:15 of the period. Dean Tiltgen found Adam Kostichka at the weak side of the net and Kostichka slapped the puck past Pensacola goaltender Todd Ford to cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into the second intermission.

Miguel Lafleche started the RoadRunners comeback just 3:12 into the third period when he collected Justin Quenneville's rebound in the slot and flipped the puck past Ford to get Phoenix back to within a single goal at 3-2. Joe Dusbabek netted the equalizer at 7:54, tipping J-F Soucy's rebound sitting in the crease into the net to tie the contest at 3-3. Dusbabek then set up the game-winning goal exactly four minutes later at 11:54 when he found Knopp at the top of the crease and Knopp jammed the puck past Ford and into the back of the cage to cap the scoring. A goal by Cook as time expired in regulation was waived off by referee Joe Ernst who ruled that it went in after time had expired.

Phoenix out-shot Pensacola 47-17. Mole stopped 14 shots to improve to 12-18-3 on the season. The RoadRunners went 0-3 on the power play.

WELCOME BACK PART II: One week after defenseman Paul Ballantyne returned to the RoadRunners line-up with four assists, forward Ben Knopp made his return to the line-up this weekend in Pensacola and tallied three goals and four points. The Calgary, Alberta native had missed the previous five games due to injury. Knopp has missed a total of 27 games this season, including a nine-week stint on the 30-day injured reserve. Despite the lost time, Knopp is enjoying a productive year with eight goals and 12 points in 16 games so far this season.

ROAD WARRIORS: Phoenix is currently 5-1-0 on their season-long nine-game stretch away from US Airways Center. The RoadRunners have averaged 3.16 goals per game during the trip while surrendering an average of 3.00 goals per game. Phoenix is also 6-28 (21.4%) on the power play and has allowed just eight power play goals. In their previous 12 home games before the trip, the RoadRunners had averaged 1.83 goals per game while surrendering an average of 3.83 goals per game. Meanwhile, Phoenix was a futile 4-55 on the power play (7.2%) and 60-81 (74.1%) on the penalty kill. For the season, in 24 home games the RoadRunners have averaged 2.41 goals per game and are 17-119 (14.3%) on the power play, while in 19 road games, they have averaged 2.37 goals per game and are 14-96 (14.6%) on the man-advantage situation.

THEY'RE STILL THE ONE-GOAL WONDERS: The RoadRunners have won six straight one-goal games and are now 10-5-3 overall in one-goal games this season. Seven out of the RoadRunners last nine contests have been decided by a single goal.

CHECK ONLINE FOR OUR SPECIAL VALENTINE'S DAY AUCTION: The Phoenix RoadRunners have teamed up with the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury to make a special delivery this Valentine's Day. The Suns Gorilla, Mercury mascot Scorch and Rocky the RoadRunner will make surprise deliveries on Tuesday, February 14 to sweethearts, kids or friends of the top bidders via a special online auction on www.phxroadrunners.com. The Gorilla will make one delivery to the top bidder, while Scorch and Rocky will deliver Valentine's Day goodies to each of their top two bidders, respectively. Bidding starts at $100 for Scorch and Rocky and $150 for the Gorilla. Bidding will close at noon on Monday, February 13. Winners will be contacted on Feb. 13 regarding details of the delivery. A portion of the proceeds from the auctions will benefit Best Buddies of Arizona. Best Buddies enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Visit www.bestbuddiesphoenix.org for more information.

ROADRUNNERS IN THE COMMUNITY: Several RoadRunners players will pay a visit to the Children's Health Center at St. Joseph's Hospital from 2-3:30PM this Wednesday. St. Joseph's Hospital is located at 350 W Thomas Road in Phoenix.

UPCOMING ROADRUNNERS PROMOTIONS: What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with the Phoenix RoadRunners. The RoadRunners return to US Airways Center at 7:11PM on Tuesday, February 14 as they welcome the Long Beach Ice Dogs, and all Valentine dates can receive $2 off their ticket with the purchase of a regular priced ticket. The RoadRunners, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Health Services, will host "ADHS Night" at 7:11PM on Friday, February 17 against the Victoria Salmon Kings. Forward Mike Ouellet has teamed up with ADHS in his choice to quit spit tobacco. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Mike Ouellet growth chart poster.

WATCH THE ‘RUNNERS LIVE IN '05-06: The RoadRunners have teamed up with B2 Networks to bring you live action of Phoenix RoadRunners hockey in 2005-06. 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, Pensacola, Las Vegas, San Diego, Utah, and Bakersfield. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.

UP NEXT: The RoadRunners conclude their season-long nine-game stretch away from US Airways Center as they travel to Anchorage, Alaska this week for a three-game series with the Alaska Aces at 9:15PM MST Friday and Saturday and at 7PM MST Sunday. Catch all three contests live on News Talk Radio 1100AM KFNX and Pro Sports Radio beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off.

PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS SCHEDULE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6TH (All times MST)

Monday, February 6: Practice 10AM-11:30AM @ Alltel Ice Den

Tuesday, February 7: Practice 10AM-11:30AM @ Alltel Ice Den

Wednesday, February 8: Practice 10AM-11:30AM @ Alltel Ice Den

Thursday, February 9: Depart Phoenix 2:28PM; Arrive in Anchorage, AK 11:46PM

Friday, February 10: Morning Skate 1:15PM; RoadRunners @ Alaska 9:15PM

Saturday, February 11: Morning Skate 1:15PM; RoadRunners @ Alaska 9:15PM

Sunday, February 12: Morning Skate 1:15PM; RoadRunners @ Alaska 7PM

Monday, February 13: Depart Anchorage, AK 4:30PM; Arrive in Phoenix 11:29PM

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ECHL Stories from February 6, 2006


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