Sport #44: Tucson Roadrunners (1) vs Iowa Wild (2) – Tucson Roadrunners

Roadrunners Recap: 2/9/2024
Sport #44: Tucson Roadrunners vs Iowa Wild
SOG: TUC (27) – IA (31)
PP: TUC (0/6) – IA (0/7)
IOWA SCORING: Sammy Walker (7), Ryan O’Rourke (3)
TUCSON SCORING: Josh Doan (18)
ROADRUNNERS FALL TO IOWA WILD 2-1 IN FRIDAY NIGHT CONTEST FROM DES MOINES, IA
DES MOINES, IA – The Tucson Roadrunners fell to the Iowa Wild 2-1 Friday night time to drop to 28-14-1-1 on the yr from Des Moines, IA in a sport that totaled 13 power-plays and a number of other four-on-four conditions.
In case you are an Arizona hockey fan in any method, form, or type it’s time to familiarize your self with the brick wall down right here in Tucson. Most individuals name him Matthew Villalta. Matthew Villalta leads the AHL in wins and in saves and neither ought to shock any of you. Villalta, the 2024 AHL All-Star, made 29 saves on Friday night time’s contest together with this huge glove save within the second interval. Villalta is in his fifth season within the AHL, and his first with the Roadrunners.
DON’T OVERLOOK IT
MIKE DROP – Doan’t overlook in regards to the Tucson Roadrunners main level scorer Josh Doan and the success he’s having early in his skilled profession. The rookie out of Arizona State (we noticed that eye-roll Tucson natives) has 18 targets to this point this season. That quantity is tied for second amongst rookies within the AHL this yr. Doan is simply 4 targets off from the place ahead Mike Carcone was on this date final yr for the Roadrunners. Carcone ended the 2022-2023 season with 31 targets and 85 factors and at the moment has 15 targets this season within the NHL for the Arizona Coyotes. That isn’t unhealthy firm to be talked about with in case your identify is Josh and also you play hockey for the Tucson Roadrunners *mic drop*.
LOOK AT THIS
AHL All-Star and Tucson Roadrunners main level scorer Josh Doan leads the handshake line in Iowa after scoring a aim late within the third interval to interrupt up the Iowa shutout and produce Tucson inside one. Tucson would fall within the contest, however get some life from their younger prospect whose future is, to place it evenly, brilliant (pun supposed). Doan leads the AHL in game-winning targets and leads the Roadrunners with 30 factors (18 targets, 12 assists) in 44 video games performed this season.
THEY SAID IT
“We simply didn’t have our gameplan from the beginning, have to present them (Iowa) credit score. We’ve got to do a greater job of getting tight pictures and burying pictures once we get possibilities. Particular groups are so necessary on this league and our penalty kill stored us in it”
THE RUNDOWN
The primary interval was forwards and backwards between the 2 sides with two minors known as on every group, and neither group discovering the again of the web. It was a robust exhibiting from Tucson goalie Matthew Villalta who saved all 11 pictures he confronted within the interval, and 29 of 31 on the night.
The second and third intervals turned a battle of the particular groups. Within the contest Iowa had seven power-play alternatives and Tucson had six, however neither aspect scored on particular groups. Iowa would break the 0-0 pitcher’s duel within the second with a aim on the 7:15 mark. Iowa would preserve the 1-0 lead for the rest of the second and virtually 4 minutes within the third earlier than including a second aim. With a two-goal lead, the Wild would maintain sturdy till the unstoppable pressure of Josh Doan would introduce himself to the high quality midwesterners in attendance. Josh Doan would lower the lead in half with just below two—minutes remaining within the sport and netminder Matthew Villalta being on the Tucson bench for an extra-attacker. Doan was assisted by Victor Soderstrom and John Leonard. Doan added to his group main factors whole along with his 18^th aim of the yr.
Regardless of the late aim, Tucson can be unable to reply with a second and Iowa would maintain off the Roadrunners for a 2-1 win.

source