Series Preview- Tucson Roadrunners vs Bakersfield Condors
AHL Tucson Roadrunners

Series Preview- Tucson Roadrunners vs Bakersfield Condors

Published on October 23, 2025 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Tucson Roadrunners News Release


Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m. AZT, Tucson Arena, Tucson, Arizona

Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:00 p.m. AZT, Tucson Arena, Tucson, Arizona

Broadcast Info

Friday: LISTEN LIVE or on Fox Sports 1450AM | WATCH on AHLtv on Flo Hockey

Saturday: LISTEN LIVE or on Fox Sports 1450AM | WATCH on AHLtv on Flo Hockey

Officials

Friday - Referees: #47 Mike Sullivan, #95 Nolan Bloyer | Linespeople: #71 Harrison Heyer, #33Andrew Gaggin | Supervisor: Jay Sharrers

Saturday - Referees: #47 Mike Sullivan, #95 Nolan Bloyer | Linespeople: #71 Harrison Heyer, #76 Gabe Lomen | Supervisor: Jay Sharrers

Tucson, AZ - Tucson's six-game homestand continues this weekend with a two-game set against the Pacific Division rival Bakersfield Condors on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop for both matchups is set for 7 p.m. MST. The series marks the first two of eight meetings between the teams this season.

Last year, the Roadrunners took six of eight from Bakersfield, including a perfect 4-0 record at Tucson Arena. Tucson's advantage in the season series was pivotal down the stretch. Both teams finished with 74 points, but Tucson secured the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division over Bakersfield thanks to owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Condors will look to shake off last year's finish and earn their first win in Southern Arizona since Feb. 24, 2024. Bakersfield enters Friday's series opener on a two-game winning streak after defeating San Jose and Coachella Valley on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

The Roadrunners come into the weekend following a series split against the Calgary Wranglers, taking three of a possible four points. Tucson edged Calgary 5-4 in overtime on Saturday before falling 4-3 in extra time on Sunday.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

Working Overtime

Three of Tucson's first four games have required overtime, tied with the Rockford IceHogs for the most in the AHL. The Roadrunners have earned five of a possible six points across those three contests. Captain Austin Poganski has delivered in the clutch in back-to-back games, scoring the overtime winner against Calgary on Saturday before netting the game-tying goal with 3:56 left in regulation on Sunday to force extra time.

In Tucson's two overtime victories this season, the decisive goals have come at opposite ends of the extra session. Poganski's game-winner came with 51 seconds left against Calgary, while Sammy Walker ended things just 51 seconds into overtime against Ontario on Oct. 10.

Going Streaking

Two Roadrunners have registered at least one point in each of the team's first four games - a feat accomplished by only seven other skaters across the AHL: Kevin Rooney: 4 points (3g, 1a) and Ben McCartney: 5 points (1g, 4a).

Rookie Daniil But owns the team's second-longest active streak at three games, recording three points (1g, 2a) over that stretch.

Poganski and defenseman Max Szuber are also riding hot hands after combining for six points in last weekend's series with Calgary. Poganski scored in back-to-back games and added an assist for his first multi-point effort of the season on Saturday. Szuber notched his goal and multi-point game of the season(1g, 1a) that same night, then added another assist on Sunday to finish the series with three points.

Leaders of the Flock

Free-agent acquisition Kevin Rooney leads the team with three goals and Sammy Walker and McCartney are tied for the team lead with five points apiece through Tucson's first four games.

McCartney is one of just three players in the AHL to record an assist in each of the first four games of the season, joining Sam Poulin (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) and Nick Lardis (Rockford).

Walker has tallied points in three of four contests (2g, 3a) and leads the entire AHL in shots with 21 - four more than any other player.

On the blue line, Szuber leads all Roadrunners defensemen with four points (1g, 3a), tied for fourth among AHL blueliners. Only three defensemen league-wide have recorded five points so far: Marshall Warren (Bridgeport), Jack Ahcan (Colorado), and Domenick Fensore (Chicago).

Numbers to Know:

3 - Poganski is three points shy of 200 career AHL points. He can reach the milestone with a second straight three-point weekend. The Roadrunners captain is no stranger to milestones - he skated in his 400th professional game on Saturday against Calgary (375 AHL, 22 NHL, 3 ECHL).

Goaltender Matthew Villalta also sits three wins away from tying Ivan Prosvetov for second all-time in franchise history (54) and three shutouts shy of matching Adin Hill's team record (10). Villalta enters the series with a perfect 2-0 record after earning his second win in as many starts against Calgary on Saturday. His 30 saves versus the Wranglers marked a team season high, and his 15 saves in the third period stand as the most by any AHL goaltender in a single third period this season.

WE'RE DOING IT LIVE

Both games this weekend will be streamed on AHLtv on FloHockey and can be heard live on FOX Sports 1450 AM and the iHeartRadio app. Coverage for both matchups begins at 6:45 p.m. with Roadrunners Warm-Up hosted by David Mooradian.

Check out the Tucson Roadrunners Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from October 23, 2025


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