Roadrunners Look to Keep Rolling Against Firebirds

Game 1: Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. MST, Tucson Arena
Game 2: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. MST, Tucson Arena

Officials
Friday – Referees: #13 Taylor Burzminksi, #24 Jack Young | Linespeople: #33 Andrew Gaggin, #54 Anthony Caruso
Saturday – Referees: #13 Taylor Burzminksi, #24 Jack Young | Linespeople: #33 Andrew Gaggin, #74 Eric Anderson

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

Tucson, AZ – The Tucson Roadrunners (7-2-2-0) open a four-game homestand with a two-game series against the Coachella Valley Firebirds (5-4-2-1) on Friday and Saturday at Tucson Arena. Puck drop for both contests is set for 7 p.m. MST.

The Roadrunners enter the weekend riding a four-game winning streak, the second-longest active streak in the AHL, and a league-best nine-game point streak dating back to Oct. 9 at San Jose. Tucson has posted a 7-0-2-0 record during that stretch, climbing to the top of the Pacific Division standings. Coachella Valley currently sits in fourth place, three points behind the Roadrunners.

This weekend’s series marks the second and third of eight regular-season meetings between the Pacific Division rivals. Tucson won the first matchup 5-1 on Oct. 28 at Acrisure Arena. The Firebirds have responded with back-to-back victories, defeating the Henderson Silver Knights 5-1 at home on Oct. 30 before earning a 2-1 win over the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday.

With both teams entering the weekend on winning streaks, the series presents an opportunity for Tucson to maintain its hold on first place in the Pacific Division, while Coachella Valley looks to close the gap in the standings.

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

ROSTER MOVES
After defenseman Artem Duda became the first Roadrunner recalled to the NHL on Oct. 20, assistant captain Ben McCartney joined the young blueliner in Utah after being recalled by the Mammoth on Sunday. McCartney ranks tied for fifth in the AHL in scoring with 14 points (4g, 10a) in just 11 games, leading Tucson in points, assists and plus-minus.

In a corresponding move, forward Daniil But was assigned to the Roadrunners and made his 2026-27 AHL debut Saturday at Ontario. The 21-year-old Yaroslavl, Russia native has recorded four points (2g, 2a), a plus-three rating and averaged 10:30 of ice time across 13 NHL games with Utah this season.

But returns to Tucson after an impressive rookie campaign in 2025-26, recording 39 points (19g, 20a), 38 penalty minutes and six power-play goals in 41 games. He led the Roadrunners in points per game (0.95), ranking fourth among AHL rookies.

HEBIG’S HEATER
Cameron Hebig enters Friday’s matchup riding a two-game multi-goal streak, four-game multi-point streak and five-game point streak, recording 10 points (7g, 3a) during that span dating back to Oct. 23 at Henderson. He was named AHL Player of the Week on Monday after recording four goals and seven points in three road games last week. Hebig leads Tucson with nine goals, tied for the second-most in the AHL. He is also closing in on several franchise milestones, sitting one point shy of 200 career points as a Roadrunner, three goals shy of 100 career goals in a Tucson sweater and four assists shy of tying Michael Bunting for the franchise’s all-time assists record (106).

LOCKING IT DOWN
Tucson ranks fourth in the AHL in goals against per game, allowing just 2.27. The Roadrunners have been even stingier over their last five contests, surrendering an average of just 2.00 goals per game while holding opponents to two goals or fewer in four of those five games. A big part of Tucson’s defensive success has been its strong special teams play. The Roadrunners’ home penalty kill ranks second in the AHL at 94.4% and ninth overall at 84.9%. Tucson has also generated offense while shorthanded, tying for the second-most shorthanded goals in the AHL this season with four.

NUMBERS TO KNOW:

43 – Tucson recorded a season-high 43 shots on goal in its last game Saturday at Ontario, tied for the fourth-most by any AHL team in a single game this season. The Roadrunners rank eighth in the AHL, averaging 30.55 shots per game.

64.7% – Since being put together on a line at Henderson on Oct. 24, Cameron Hebig, Ben McCartney and Austin Poganski have combined for 11 goals and 20 points over Tucson’s last four games, directly accounting for 64.7% of the team’s goals (11 of 17) during that span.

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