Roadrunners Close Road Trip with Two-Game Series Against Ontario

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. MST, Toyota Arena
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. MST, Toyota Arena

Officials
Friday – Referees: #92 John Lindner, #42 Ben Betker | Linespeople: #85 Steve Walsh, #52 Ben Dubow
Saturday – Referees: #16 Adam Tobias, #42 Ben Betker | Linespeople: #71 Harrison Heyer, #18 Brandon Barnette

Broadcast Info
Friday: WATCH on AHLtv on Flo Hockey 
Saturday: WATCH on AHLtv on Flo Hockey 

Ontario, CA – The Tucson Roadrunners (5-2-2-0) close out their five-game road trip with back-to-back games against the Ontario Reign (5-4-0-0) on Friday and Saturday at Toyota Arena. Friday’s series opener is set for 7 p.m. MST, with Saturday’s Halloween finale scheduled for 3 p.m. MST.

The Roadrunners enter the weekend riding a two-game winning streak following Wednesday’s 5-1 victory at Coachella Valley. Tucson has also earned at least one point in seven consecutive games dating back to Oct. 9 at San Jose, posting a 5-0-2-0 record over that span. The Roadrunners have executed in all three phases during their current winning streak, outscoring their opponents 9-2 over the last two games while converting on three of nine power-play opportunities (33.3%).

Ontario, meanwhile, has dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season after falling 4-1 to the Henderson Silver Knights on Wednesday. The Reign sit sixth in the Pacific Division with 10 points, while the Roadrunners hold third place with 12 points.

This weekend’s series marks the first two of eight regular-season meetings between the Pacific Division rivals. Tucson will look to get off to a strong start in the season series after posting a 2-6-0-0 record against Ontario last season.

The Roadrunners Weekend Tune-Up, presented by Semper Fi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, has you covered with some of the key storylines to watch heading into the weekend.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

ROAD WARRIORS
With a 4-0-1-0 road record, Tucson is one of just five teams in the AHL yet to lose in regulation on the road. The Roadrunners’ four road wins are tied for the most in the league, and their +12 goal differential is the best in the AHL. Special teams have played a key role in Tucson’s road success, as the Roadrunners have scored at least one power-play goal in each of their first five road games, going 7-for-23 (30.4%) over that span. Tucson’s road power play ranks third in the AHL and will be tested against an Ontario penalty kill that ranks 22nd in the league.

THREE-HEADED MONSTER
Since being put together on a line last Saturday at Henderson, Cameron Hebig, Ben McCartney and Austin Poganski have each recorded back-to-back multi-point games, combining for six goals and 12 points over Tucson’s last two contests. Poganski has tallied a goal and an assist in each game, while Hebig and McCartney have each recorded a two-goal game and a two-assist game over that span. Hebig enters the weekend riding a season-high three-game point streak, totaling five points (3g, 2a) over that stretch. His five goals leads the Roadrunners. McCartney continues to pace Tucson with 13 points (4g, 9a), tied for third in the AHL.

GETTIN’ IGGY WIT IT 
Rookie Tij Iginla enters the weekend with three points (1g, 2a) over his last two games. He scored his first career AHL goal in Wednesday’s win at Coachella Valley after recording two assists for his first career multi-point game and a team-season-high seven shots on goal at Henderson on Saturday. Iginla is now tied with four other Roadrunners for the team’s rookie scoring lead with five points apiece.

NUMBERS TO KNOW:

2.11 – Tucson ranks fourth in the AHL in goals against per game, allowing just 2.11. The Roadrunners have been particularly stingy defensively of late, surrendering just 1.33 goals per game over their last six contests dating back to Oct. 10 at San Jose. Tucson has not allowed more than three goals in that span and has held opponents to two or fewer in five of those six games. Ontario, meanwhile, ranks 29th in the AHL in goals against per game (3.78) and has surrendered at least three goals in four of its last five contests.

1 – Ontario has allowed the game’s opening goal in eight consecutive games, scoring first just once this season in its Oct. 2 season opener at Coachella Valley. Tucson, meanwhile, has scored first in four of its nine games, including each of its last two contests. The Roadrunners are undefeated when opening the scoring, posting a 4-0-0-0 record in those games.

WE’RE DOING IT LIVE
Both games this weekend will be streamed on AHLtv on FloHockey. Coverage for Friday’s matchup begins at 6:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. on Saturday with Roadrunners Warm-Up hosted by James Mackey.