Game #41 – Wolves at Roadrunners

Referees: Jordan Samuels-Thomas (42) Stan Szczurek (73)

Linespersons: Jake Herzog (48) Anthony Caruso (54)

The Roadrunners wrap up their two-game midweek set with the Chicago Wolves Wednesday night at the Tucson Arena. Tucson has a chance to sweep the defending Calder Cup Champions after winning the series opener 5-1 on Tuesday night. A win Wednesday would be the Roadrunners third in four games to start their current six-game home stand, as well as their fourth in seven games since a third-period comeback and 4-3 shootout win in Bakersfield on January 14. The series finale also represents the second to last Kids Free Wednesday of the season, as all kids 12 and under can receive a free ticket to the game with a paying adult at the Tucson Arena Box Office.

Three Things
1) The Roadrunners took the series opener Tuesday night by a final score of 5-1, fueled by a four-goal third period for Tucson. The offensive output marked the fourth time this season that the Roadrunners have netted at least four goals in a single period, and the first time since their six-goal opening frame in San Diego on December 17. Through the three games on their current home stand, the Roadrunners have outscored their opponents 13 to six, with three periods featuring three or more goals scored. Tucson enters the rematch with Chicago on a three-game winning streak against the Wolves dating back to a pair of wins in Chicago on March 5 and 7 of 2020. Following Wednesday’s series finale, the Roadrunners and Wolves will meet two more times this year from the Allstate Arena in Chicago for a two-game set February 25 and 26.

2) Tuesday’s matchup between Tucson and Chicago was tied at 0-0 for the opening 36 minutes and 36 seconds of the contest, which represents the longest scoreless tie between the Roadrunners and their opponent to start a game this year. The stalemate was eventually broken by Tucson forward Cam Hebig with 3:24 remaining in the middle frame, surpassing the previous mark by over nine minutes. The Roadrunners and goaltender Tyler Parks continued to hold Chicago scoreless for the opening 51:08 of regulation before a deflected power-play goal gave the Wolves their only tally of…