Tucson Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham made his first public appearance Saturday night after suffering an on-ice collapse eight weeks ago.
That wasn’t the only good news: Tucson defeated the Texas Stars 3-2 to earn a weekend sweep at Tucson Arena.
The Roadrunners scored three first-period goals in front of their captain, who watched the game with his mother and a group of team executives.
Cunningham, who suffered cardiac arrest before a Nov. 19 home game against Manitoba, watched from his wheelchair.
Doctors amputated the lower part of his left leg last month amid fear of infection. Cunningham’s recovery at Banner-University Medical Center has been the toast of medical and hockey circles. Medics performed nearly 90 minutes of chest compressions following Cunningham’s collapse to keep him alive.
Saturday marked Cunningham’s first appearance at the arena since his collapse.
The captain called team president Bob Hoffman earlier in the day, asking to go to the game.
“His mother and stepfather were in town and brought him to the game tonight,” Hoffman said. “Every time I saw him he looked like he was pretty happy, and it was probably great to get out and do something different.”
Cunningham visited the Roadrunners locker room and chatted with teammates before the game.
Cunningham’s presence gave the Roadrunners some extra motivation, coach Mark Lamb said.
“It made all the guys feel great,” Lamb said. “I think we played the first period for him.”
Stefan Fournier scored with 14:46 to go in the first period, taking a well-placed pass from Hunter Fejes.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, Christian Fischer gave the Roadrunners a two-goal lead. Michael Bunting scored with 6:33 left in the period, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Mattias Backman of the Stars put Texas on the board with a goal late in the second period. Matej Stransky gave the Stars their second score of the night with an early third-period goal.
Tucson’s Adin Hill started his third straight game at goalie.
Tucson improved to 18-9-4 heading into a two-game home series with Ontario beginning Monday.
“I think we need some rest,” Lamb said. “Today was the hump.”
The Roadrunners partnered with the University of Arizona club hockey team Saturday night, wearing UA-themed uniforms that were be auctioned after the game. All proceeds of the auction will go to the Wildcats.
Arizona defeated Missouri State 8-5 earlier Saturday. UA coach Chad Berman stuck around to perform the pregame puck drop.
But the night belonged to Cunningham, who received a standing ovation as the arena camera zoomed on him late in the first period.
Cunningham smiled and waved to the crowd.
“It was great to see him there,” Lamb said. “It’s too bad we couldn’t start him.”
