The Tucson Roadrunners picked up their third consecutive win Wednesday night in Southern California — a 4-3 overtime victory against the Ontario Reign. Tucson jumps up to 6-3-0-0 on the season.
When it was over
Tucson defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok scored barely a minute into sudden death overtime, going short-side between Ontario goaltender David Rittich and the near post for the game-winner.
Turning point
Roadrunners’ newcomer Justin Kirkland has been averaging more than a point per game this season for Tucson, but hadn’t scored a goal yet. He fixed that Wednesday, giving Tucson a 3-1 lead less than a minute into the third period. Tucson did surrender two goals in the third, allowing Ontario to tie it and push the game to overtime, but Kirkland’s goal provided the cushion needed to eke out the eventual win.
Key players
Four Roadrunners had multi-point nights, including Kirkland (one goal, one assist), Kolyachonok (one goal, one assist), Dylan Guenther (two assists) and Nathan Smith (two assists). Tucson goaltender Matthew Villalta stopped 20 of 23 shots against his former team. Villalta was signed by the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes (then assigned to Tucson) this offseason after four seasons with the Reign.
By the numbers
The Roadrunners six wins (through nine games played) are the third-highest total in the American Hockey League so far this season, granted eight teams have six victories. The Henderson Silver Knights, a Pacific Division rival of Tucson and the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Silver Knights, have eight wins, as do the defending AHL Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears. The Springfield Thunderbirds, are next with seven so far.
Quotable
“I think to start off I was very excited, you know — first game back here,” Villalta said postgame of his return to Ontario. “All the boys came out and played a great game.
“I was very excited, had a little bit of nerves, but wanted to go out and get a win,” he sharing his gratitude for the Ontario organization playing a tribute video to him inside Ontario’s Toyota Arena during the game. “The fans are great — they’re always great here in Ontario — and they treated me very well my last four years here. So it’s a treat to see them again and go out and get a win with the boys.”
Up next
Tucson stays in Southern California a few more days, facing Ontario again Friday at 8 p.m. before heading to Palm Desert, California, to face the Coachella Valley Firebirds Sunday at 6 p.m. Both games are available via AHLtv (subscription live stream) or the radio call on 1490-AM.
VIDEO: Tucson Roadrunners defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok scores in overtime to give the Roadrunners a 4-3 overtime win Nov. 8, 2023 at the Ontario Reign. (Courtesy Tucson Roadrunners/AHL)
VIDEO: Tucson Roadrunners forward Justin Kirkland has been averaging more than a point per game for Tucson this season, but managed to get his first goal of 2023-24 during the Roadrunners' 4-3 overtime win Nov. 8, 2023 at the Ontario Reign. (Courtesy Tucson Roadrunners/AHL)
VIDEO: Tucson Roadrunners defenseman Max Szuber notches his second goal of the season during the Roadrunners' 4-3 overtime win Nov. 8, 2023 at the Ontario Reign. (Courtesy Tucson Roadrunners/AHL)
VIDEO: Tucson Roadrunners goaltender Matthew Villalta stopped 20 of 23 shots from the Ontario Reign Nov. 8, 2023 to pick up his fifth win of the season in eight appearances. Villalta spent the last four seasons with the Reign, before ending up in Arizona this offseason. (Courtesy Tucson Roadrunners/AHL)
VIDEO: Tucson Roadrunners forward Aku Raty scores the first goal of his AHL career during the Roadrunners' 4-3 overtime win Nov. 8, 2023 at the Ontario Reign. (Courtesy Tucson Roadrunners/AHL)
