Opportunity knocked for the Tucson Roadrunners on more than one occasion Saturday night but Coachella Valley Firebirds goaltender Chris Driedger refused to open the door.
And, for good measure, he flipped the deadbolt and slid in the security chain.
Driedger and the reigning American Hockey League runners-up shut down (and shut out) the Roadrunners offensive attack, claiming a 4-0 win to spoil the Roadrunners’ 2023-24 home opener at Tucson Arena.
With the Firebirds leading 1-0 in the first minute of the play in the second period, Tucson’s Milos Keleman picked up a loose puck in Tucson’s own zone and started racing up ice on a breakaway. He got a clean attempt on Driedger but was denied, only to have trailer Vlad Kolyochonok get the second effort. He was stymied by Driedger as well.
To add insult, the Roadrunners (2-1-0-0) were called for a bench minor for too many man on the ice at the end of the sequence. Less than 20 seconds later, the Firebirds (1-1-0-0) scored on a power play to build their lead to a 2-0 cushion.
Roadrunners' center Nathan Smith (13) tries to reach over Coachella Valley's forward Kole Lind (16) in pursuit of a puck in the defensive zone in the third period of their AHL game at Tucson Arena, Tucson, Ariz., October 21, 2023.
Tucson head coach Steve Potvin had praise for Keleman, who, on top of creating that aforementioned breakaway, led the Roadrunners in shots on goal and was in the center of many of the team's offensive opportunities.
"He's just so big and so strong and when he decides to turn it on, he's a hard guy to to contain," Potvin said. "I've seen a lot of positives from him. I think the way he trains in the summertime is is it's it's pretty clear how hard he works and you know what he's doing is working for him."
Driedger turned away all 27 Tucson shots he faced Saturday night, earning his fifth career AHL shutout.
Coachella Valley’s first three goals on the night came from Marian Studenic in the first, Cale Fleury in the second and Shane Wright in the third; John Hayden capped the scoring with an empty net goal inside three minutes to play.
"Certain parts of the game I don't think we managed the puck well, and obviously, that team, they're very good at transitioning," Roadrunners' forward John Leonard said. "And if you turn over the pocket, the blue line there, they're going to turn the other way and make you kind of pay for it.
Roadrunners' goaltender Matthew Villalta (31) makes a kick save on a close range shot against Coachella Valley in the second period of their AHL game at Tucson Arena, Tucson, Ariz., October 21, 2023. The Roadrunners gave up goals in all three periods and an empty netter late in the third to lose for the first time this season 4-0 to the Firebirds.
Tucson goaltender Matthew Villalta, sharp as can be as the Roadrunners No. 1 goaltender during Tucson’s season-opening 3-2 and 2-1 sweep at the Texas Stars a week ago, stopped 25 of 28 Coachella Valley shots he faced Saturday.
"Through three games, I think he's been our best player," Potvin said of Villalta's play so far. "Obviously, there's been some support there and some guys played really well in Texas, but I thought tonight yeah, he was our best player again.
"He gave us a chance right to the end."
The Roadrunners came in one of six remaining AHL teams without a regulation loss on the young season. After Saturday, just four remain through the season’s first two weekends of play.
"That that was not even close to what we were like in Texas," Potvin said. "I thought our pace was much higher in Texas. I thought we were spotty tonight."
Up next for the Roadrunners: a Tuesday matinee event at Tucson Arena. The Roadrunners and San Diego Gulls renew their ‘Interstate 8 Border Rivalry’ for the eight season at 10:30 a.m. The early start is tied to the team’s School Day promotion, where local youth will pack the stands for the morning faceoff.
VIDEO: Tucson Roadrunners forward Milos Keleman gets stopped on the breakaway attempt in the second period on Oct. 21, 2023 by Coachella Valley Firebirds goaltender Chris Driedger, only to have Driedger stop Tucson's trailer on the play, Vlad Kolyochonok, on the second effort. (Video courtesy Tucson Roadrunners/AHL)
