TUCSON, Ariz. – The Tucson Roadrunners (9-2-2) hosted the Stockton Heat (9-5-1) for the second time in as many days looking to keep their lead in the Pacific Division. Stockton split the games with them, ending up with a 3-2 win Saturday and a 5-3 loss Sunday. The Roadrunners special teams played a key roll in this game 5-4 game.
Marek Langhamer’s mask falls off prompting a whistle – no goal. Photo by Jack Lima
It wasn’t long before Stockton opened the scoring with a goal a minute and half after the puck drop, when Ryan Lomberg dropped the puck past Marek Langhamer in the net, thanks to a great pass from Emile Poirier. The Roadrunners bounced back fairly quickly, with a goal of their own just after the four minute marker. Kyle Wood beat Jon Gillies in the net for Stockton. Stockton regained the lead when Linden Vey wristed a one-timer to the back of the net.
Brandon Bollig watches Rasmus Andersson’s (not pictured) goal with Marek Langhamer in the net. Photo by Jack Lima
Then with only 3:38 remaining in the period, on a Heat delayed penalty, the Roadrunners’ Brendan Perlini muscled his way up the slot to the net chipping in a rebound from the crease. Perlini extended his point streak to seven games (9-3-12), with a goal and assist in the game.
Jon Gillies watches as puck goes in the net. Photo by Jack Lima
With 11:20 remaining in the period, a rebound in front of Gillies, led to a shot from the opposite circle off the stick of Christian Fischer that went over the right shoulder of Gillies, through traffic, to the back of the net to reset the score at three each. Wood scored his second goal of the night, when his shot from the slot scored with 3:33 remaining, then 34 seconds later, a power play goal was scored by Henrik Samuelsson.
In the third period, Tucson nearly increased their lead by three, when what appeared to be a goal was waived off as incidental contact. It would be midway through the period, when Rasmus Andersson fired a slap shot from the top of the opposite circle to bring the Heat to within one.
With just less than five minutes remaining in regulation, several Heat players crowded the net, knocking off the mask of Langhamer, only seconds before the puck crossed the goal threshold. The goal was not counted. Stockton worked to get the puck to the net again, in an attempt to force the extra period, but it wasn’t to happen, despite pulling Gillies in the final seconds of the game.
The Roadrunners earned the win, 5-4, and will retain the lead in the Pacific Division.
Tucson will take to the road for a three game trip to San Diego, Ontario and Bakersfield.
Stockton will go home to welcome Charlotte for their first time on Wednesday night.
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