Roadrunning: 2021-2022 Season In Review

Roadrunning: 2021-2022 Season In Review

The Tucson Roadrunners capped off their sixth season in Southern Arizona by drawing 121,174 fans in a year that saw a franchise record eight skaters make their NHL debuts with the Arizona Coyotes. A total of 15 players appeared in games for both the Roadrunners and Coyotes to reach 46 players to play for both teams all-time. Tucson has now drawn a total of 676,476 fans over their six seasons in the desert and counting.

Clutch Performances All Year Long

Not only did Tucson win their Opening Night and Home Opener games by way of back-to-back shutouts from Ivan Prosvetov, the Roadrunners also won both their return from the Gem Show and regular season finales by one goal in thrilling fashion. Tucson began their season by facing off with the eventual Pacific Division Champions, the Stockton Heat, on the road Friday, October 15. Both teams were held scoreless through regulation, before Vlad Kolyachonok recorded the first goal of the season for Tucson and his first AHL goal to give the Roadrunners the win and a 1-0 record to start the season. After starting the season on the road in Stockton, the Roadrunners returned home to the Tucson Arena for their Home Opener on Saturday, October 23 against the Texas Stars. The game marked the first contest with full capacity since the 2019-2020 season, as 5,097 fans saw the Roadrunners improve to 2-1 with a 4-0 victory. Forward Ben McCartney notched his first of two hat tricks on the season in the win. When the Roadrunners returned home from their Gem Show Road Trip in February, they were greeted to the largest crowd of the season on Youth Jersey Giveaway Night February 19. Tucson didn’t disappoint the 5,502 fans in attendance, as their 4-3 comeback win saw the go-ahead goal scored by Mike Carcone in the final 16 seconds of regulation. With 5,410 Roadrunners Faithful in attendance, Tucson wrapped up the season with one final thriller as they won a shootout over the San Diego…