Tucson Roadrunners’ Road Ahead: Week of April 12, 2021

Tucson Roadrunners’ Road Ahead: Week of April 12, 2021 

Upcoming Games 
Thursday, April 15: Tucson at Henderson, 7:00 p.m. 
Saturday, April 17: Tucson at Henderson, 7:00 p.m. 
Sunday, April 18: Tucson at Henderson, 5:00 p.m. 

Who’s on the Schedule 
The Tucson Roadrunners will conclude their season series with the Henderson Silver Knights this week, when they’ll meet for three games in four nights beginning Thursday, April 15, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Henderson took two out of the three games between these teams at the beginning of the month in Tucson, but the Roadrunners won their most recent matchup by a score of 4-2. In that game, Roadrunners forward Tyler Steenbergen was named the first star of the game after he scored two goals, including the game-winner on April 3. The Silver Knights are currently 18-6, leading the AHL Pacific Division. 

Carcone Catches The League’s Attention 
Tucson Roadrunners forward Michael Carcone put up some impressive numbers this weekend, earning himself AHL Player of the Week honors. Carcone recorded the first four-goal in Tucson Roadrunners history, and the first in the AHL in nearly two years. Carcone added to his stellar weekend with a pair of goals the following night, becoming the second Tucson player to reach ten goals on the season, along with Kevin Roy. 

Michaels Making Noise 
With Michael Carcone winning the AHL Player of the Week Award, the Tucson Roadrunners become the first team in the AHL this season to have multiple recipients of the award. Coincidentally, the other winner from the Roadrunners was forward Michael Bunting, who is currently up with the Arizona Coyotes. In 39 combined games this season, Bunting and Carcone have combined for 17 goals and 14 assists. 

Roy Lends A Hand 
While Mike Carcone racked up the goals against the Gulls this weekend, his linemate Kevin Roy was there every step of the way. Roy recorded an assist on all six of Carcone’s scores and added an additional assist Friday night on defenseman Kyle Capobianco’s slap-shot goal. Roy’s five-point performance is the most by a Roadrunner since Conor Garland matched the feat on October 26, 2018, when he recorded two goals and three assists in an 8-5 win over the Ontario Reign. Roy is tied for third in the AHL in points and leads the team in assists with 16. 

On-Air Talent 
With the Roadrunners dominant 4-1 win over the San Diego Gulls on The CW Tucson last Saturday, the Roadrunners now have a three-game winning when their games are televised. The Roadrunners are 3-1 overall in games broadcast on The CW Tucson, with two wins over the San Diego Gulls, and a victory over the Henderson Silver Knights between. The Roadrunners will look to continue this trend when they are back on television Sunday, April 25 against the Colorado Eagles at 1 p.m. MST. 

Did You Know? 
Longtime Tucson Roadrunner Michael Bunting, currently in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes, has appeared in thirteen straight games on the road to start his NHL career, an all-time record. In his eight games this season, Bunting has six goals, including his first career hat trick, in a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Bunting is quickly making an impact with the Coyotes, as they make a push for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division. 

Around the Pacific Division 
While the Roadrunners and Silver Knights are battling in Las Vegas, the rest of the Pacific Division will be active this week. The San Jose Barracuda will be playing four games in five days with the Texas Stars. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Condors will have a pair of contests with the Colorado Eagles on the road, before continuing their road trip with the Ontario Reign and Henderson Silver Knights. The San Diego Gulls will be running the gauntlet of fellow California teams, facing Ontario, Bakersfield and San Jose all on the road. 

On the Air 
The Tucson Roadrunners Happy Hour airs every Tuesday from 5pm to 6pm on Fox Sports 1450 AM and the iHeartRadio app. Adrian Denny and Brett Fera talk all things Roadrunners and what’s going on in Southern Arizona. The Tucson Roadrunners Insider Podcast drops every Thursday, where Adrian Denny and Jimmy Peebles break down the recent Roadrunners performances and look ahead toward the weekend’s slate of games throughout the AHL and NHL. The half-hour podcast can be found on the iHeartRadio app. The Tucson Roadrunners will be back on The CW Tucson Sunday, April 25, when they take on the Colorado Eagles. Adrian Denny and Alex Kinkopf will be back on the broadcast. If that’s not enough Tucson Roadrunners, Roadrunners reports can be heard every weekday on all Tucson iHeartRadio stations, and the Roadrunners Hockey Weekend can be heard there as well. 

(Photo Credits: Kate Dibildox/Chris Hook)