STOCKTON, Calif. – The Tucson Roadrunners get a win in overtime against the Stockton Heat on the road. The Heat donned their lavender sweaters on Stick it to Cancer night, but unfortunately were not able to seal the win in their second overtime game in as many night. The winning goal came off the stick of Brayden Burke only 25 seconds into the action for the 4-3 final score.
Stockton Heat goalie Artyom Zagidulin reaches for a deflected puck – Photo by Jack Lima
In the last 40 seconds of the game, the teams tied up at 3-3, what looked to be a goal by Brandon Davidson was waived off by officials, forcing the overtime period.
Ryan Lomberg (41) celebrates a goal by Buddy Robinson (not piictured) – Photo by Jack Lima
The teams were fairly even through out the first and second period. Nick Merkley scored his first goal of the season to give the Roadrunners the first goal of the night at 12:16. Jeremy Gregoire scored to pull ahead of the Heat at 18:47. But with only a few seconds remaining in the period Buddy Robinson’s goal would close the gap to 2-1 as the teams went to the first intermission.
Roadrunners goalie Ivan Prosvetov reaches for the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
The Heat evened the score only a few minutes into the second period, when Byron Froese’s shot beat Ivan Prosvetov in the net. Play got chippy, but Michael Bunting’s shot put the Roadrunners back on top at the second intermission.
Roadrunners forward Jon Martin (71) checks Heat forward Buddy Robinson (10 into the bench – Photo by Jack Lima
As the teams returned to the ice for the third period, the Heat found some extra energy and applied heavy offensive pressure, to which Prosvetov was able to hold at bay. The Heat doubled shots on goal 20-10 for the period. The pressure appeared to be working as Adam Ruzicka’s shot tied the game at 3-3.
Jeremy Gregoire (25) and Brandon Davidson (29) battle for the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Prosvetov turned away everything else thrown at him to earn the win in overtime. Artyom Zagidulin had 27 saves in the net for the Heat loss.
The Heat still earned a point in the match and sit just ahead of Tucson in the standings after 10 games, one of their best season starts.
Brayden Burke (41) celebrates his overtime goal with teammates – Photo by Jack Lima
You must be logged in to post a comment.