TUCSON, Ariz. – The Tucson Roadrunners defeated the Chicago Wolves 4-1 on Wednesday to secure a two-game sweep over the defending Calder Cup Champions, as well as their third win in their last four outings from the Tucson Arena. Four different Roadrunners lit the lamp in the win, while linemates Mike Carcone (2a) and Adam Cracknell (1g 1a) notched multiple-point performances. Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov stopped 21 of 22 shots faced for Tucson to earn his 11th win of the season.
Tucson Center Curtis Douglas sends the puck around the boards while evading Chicago winger Malte Stromwall – Photo by Max Williamson
Roadrunners Forward Hudson Elynuik gave Tucson a multi-goal lead in the first period of Wednesday’s eventual 4-1 win over the visiting Chicago Wolves, as he converted a shot from a tough angle for his fourth goal of the season. Elynuik (1g) and his linemates Mike Carcone (2a) and Adam Cracknell (1g 1a) combined for two of the Roadrunners four goals scored, as well as five of their nine total points.
Roadrunners defenseman Devante Stephens attempts to poke the puck free from Wolves winger Noel Gunler – Photo by Max Williamson
After the opening 36:36 of Tuesday’s series opener was without a goal, the Roadrunners got the scoring started much earlier on Wednesday with a first-period goal by Boko Imama.
Imama redirected a backdoor pass from defenseman Devante Stephens for his third goal of the season and a 1-0 lead 7:34 into the contest. Tucson kept it going with just over seven minutes remaining in the period, as Hudson Elynuik took a feed from Mike Carcone and buried it up high to extend the early lead to 2-0. With the primary assist, Carcone extended his franchise-record active scoring streak to 12 games and his league lead in total scoring to 53 points (21g 32a). The AHL All-Star set up another tally for Tucson with 2:49 to play in the opening frame, as Laurent Dauphin deflected a shot from Carcone into the back of the net for the Roadrunners first power-play goal of the two-game series.Dauphin’s 16th score of the season capped off Tucson’s second-straight multi-goal period and fourth in as many games, sending the Roadrunners to the first intermission up 3-0 while outshooting Chicago 20 to six.
Wolves captain Max Lajoie and Roadrunners forward Michael Carcone drop the gloves following a kneeing penalty to Carcone – Photo by Max Williamson
The Wolves got on the board with the first goal of the second period, scored with 5:28 gone by in the frame to reduce Tucson’s lead to 3-1. The goal was Chicago’s first five-on-five goal of the midweek series, as their only tally on Tuesday was scored on the man-advantage. Chicago’s early score marked the only offense of the second period, with the Roadrunners still up by a pair entering the final 20 minutes of play.
Wolves center Jack Drury and Roadrunners defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok race through the crease after the puck – Photo by Max Williamson
Wednesday’s third period began with a fight between Roadrunners forward Mike Carcone and Chicago’s Max Lajoie, which represented Carcone’s third time dropping the gloves this year. Still leading 3-1 late in the contest, Tucson faced an extra-attacker situation when the Wolves pulled netminder Zachary Sawchenko with 4:16 remaining in regulation. An empty-net goal by Roadrunners Captain Adam Cracknell put an end to Chicago’s comeback attempt with 2:09 left on the clock, as Tucson came away with a 4-1 victory for their third win in four games on their current home stand.
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Photos by Max Williamson, Max.Williamson@prohockeynews.com
Roadrunners forward Ryan McGregor attempts to block a shot from Wolves Captain Max Lajoie – Photo by Max Williamson
Tucson defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok pursues the puck in the defensive zone – Photo by Max Williamson
Tucson defenseman Ronald Knot and Chicago center Josh Melnick battle for position in the corner – Photo by Max Williamson
Tucson defenseman Ronald Knot and Chicago winger Tukka Tieksola crash into the boards after racing after the puck – Photo by Max Williamson
Roadrunners center Curtis Douglas skates into the attacking zone – Photo by Max Williamson
Chicago Wolves goalie Zachary Sawchenko plays the puck up the boards – Photo by Max Williamson
Chicago goalie Zachary Sawchenko prepares to start the 3rd period – Photo by Max Williamson
Center Curtis Douglas screens goaltender Zachary Sawchenko during a Roadrunners power play late in the game – Photo by Max Williamson
A lone Chicago Wolves player and a trio of Roadrunners focused on the puck – Photo by Max Williamson
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