STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Heat hosted the Tucson Roadrunners in what turned out to be their first overtime loss of the season. The Heat went into the game 2-0 for the season against the Roadrunners who lost their only match to date to the San Diego Gulls on the road. The game was dominated by the Heat much of the first two periods, as they only allowed four shots on goal in the second period, but a late comeback goal by the Roadrunners forced the overtime, which resulted in the 2-1 Roadrunner win.
Tucson’s win will be chalked up a number of firsts for them in their inaugural season, including their first franchise win, first overtime, first overtime win and first road win. The winning goal, scored by Brendan Perlini also turned out to be his first professional goal.
Brendan Perlini celebrates following his game winning overtime goal – photo by Jack Lima
Both teams were scoreless through the first period. The Heat opened the scoring on a goal off the stick of Brandon Bollig at 8:38, when he caught the loose puck in the crease and slipped it past Tucson’s goaltender Marek Langhamer. Bollig’s goal was assisted by Ryan Lomberg and Colby Robak.
Tucson’s Craig Cunningham found an opening over the shoulder of Jon Gillies in the Stockton net for the equalizer about five minutes into the third period. Cunningham’s goal was assisted by Eric Selleck and Kyle Wood. The two teams worked hard for the duration of the game, but would remain tied at one-apiece to force the overtime period of three-on-three action.
Tucson’s goaltender Marek Langhamer – Photo by Jack Lima
There were a few chances for the Heat to win, but Langhamer held firm in the net, ending up with 43 saves for the game. The game winning goal came 3:19 into the period, when Perlini’s shot from the slot beat Gillies.
Stockton’s Morgan Klimchuk tries to slip the puck past Marek Langhamer – no goal. Photo by Jack Lima
Gillies had 28 saves in the loss. Special teams just couldn’t make anything happen for either teams as they were both zero for five in the man-advantage.
Stockton’s Coach Ryan Huska said after the game, “We got our game going a little bit more in the second period, but weren’t able to get the goals when we needed to, and that was a big part of the game.”
“The one thing we have to do better next time is put a few more bodies in front. The goal we did score was a second opportunity. We had our chances tonight and [Mark Langhamer] made some great saves, but we have to do a better job of getting bodies in front.”
The heat have earned five of six points in their first three games, coach Huska was mostly happy with that, but knows that the upcoming road trip might be a bigger test.
“I think we’ve got ourselves off to a good start. There are a lot of things we need to work on, of course. We are going on the road in a good mindset, and that’s positive.”
Stockton will begin a three game road trip Wednesday night against the San Diego Gulls, and a pair in Tucson over the weekend.
“We need to be a road team this year,” Huska remarked about the road trip. “That’s going to be a priority for us. Last year were weren’t very good at all. We want to change that this year. We want to be a team that’s going to come ready to compete. We want to be a team that pushes while we are on the road. We want to be a team that’s real hard to play against.”
“We will get our first test coming up. We know what San Diego is like to play against and it’s a very tough building.”
Huska’s keys to a win over the Gulls, “We have to limit their transition. They are a very fast team and if you turn the puck over in the wrong spots, they are going to come back at you very quickly. So that’s one of the areas we’ll have to prepare our guys on.”
Tucson has one more road game against the Bakersfield Condors (1-1-0), which is the Condors home opener, Wednesday night. The Condors are returning from a two-game road trip to Manitoba. Tucson will host their inaugural home opener when the Heat arrives on Friday.
You must be logged in to post a comment.