The Tucson Roadrunners needed all 60 minutes and then some to defeat the Texas Stars on Friday night at Tucson Arena.
Mike Sislo gave the Roadrunners a 2-1 win with a goal 2 minutes 10 seconds into overtime. Sislo’s shot bounced off the goal post into the net and upon official review it was ruled good.
“We were just moving around in the ‘O-zone’ and we wanted to stretch them out to build a little more space,” Sislo said. “I just tried getting it to the middle of the ice and get a shot off quick and luckily it rolled in.”
Carter Camper, making his home debut with the Roadrunners, scored Tucson’s first goal six minutes into the second period.
Camper also added an assist on Sislo’s game winning goal, giving him seven points in his first three games with the team.
“I had a good week here in Tucson and to be able to contribute in a winning effort is great to be a part of,” Camper said. “I’m playing with good players and I’m trying to continue to play with confidence and the be player that I am.”
The Roadrunners lead was short lived, however, as Texas tied the game eight minutes later.
Tucson outshot Texas 25-16 in regulation, but coach Mike Van Ryn said that it took the team until the third period to find their rhythm offensively.
Van Ryn credited the sometimes sluggish skating to the revamped lines following the trade deadline.
“If we can solidify a few more lines here, that’s something you’ve got to do right now,” Van Ryn said. “I’m not happy with the chemistry on some of the lines right now, so we have to figure this out.”
The Roadrunners debuted five players on home ice Friday, giving the team a distinctive new look than before the trade deadline.
One constant was the presence of Hunter Miska at goalie, who held off Texas by saving 15 of 16 shots.
“I thought we had a good start tonight and obviously our defense played really good in front of me tonight allowing me to see the puck,” Miska said.
The Roadrunners will host Texas again Saturday night before embarking on a three-game California road trip next week. Tucson maintained its lead atop the Pacific Division standings and gained additional ground on second place San Diego, who fell to Ontario Saturday night.
With 15 games remaining in the regular season, the Roadrunners sit in a comfortable position to earn one of the Pacific Division’s four playoff bids.
