Roadrunners defeat Wild, extend win streak to four games

The Tucson Roadrunners continued their six-game home stand with yet another win, this time over the red-hot Iowa Wild.

Prior to meeting with Tucson, the Wild were the only team in the Western Conference yet to record a regulation loss, boasting a six-game point streak to begin the season. That all ended as Tucson took down the Wild 3-1 on Friday night. Now, Tucson’s got a healthy streak of their own to boast about: four straight wins.

Despite the win, Roadrunners’ coach Jay Varady believed the team has still yet to play a good team game.

“Every time you play, you want to get as close to your identity as possible,” Varady said, “For us I don’t think that’s what we’re looking for, we just have to tighten things up.

Unlike their first two home games this year, Tucson came out of the gates fast. Forward Micheal Chaput got things started really early in the first period, netting a power play goal just over two minutes into the game.

“It’s really helpful,” Varady said on the fast start. “We created some momentum by starting off with some goals early, gave us an early lead, and we were able to hang onto it for the rest of the game.”

Chaput would score once more in the first to give the Roadrunners a early 2-0 lead. Iowa would also score in the first period; Kyle Rau would be the only Wild player to get on the board with his goal in the final ticks of the first period.

The remainder of the game was a defensive and goalies battle. Adin Hill would set aside 25 Iowa shots, with opposing goaltender Mat Robson recording 26 saves.

“I thought [Hill] was outstanding tonight,” Varady said about Hill’s performance, “He was there in the moments we needed him and made some really big saves for us.”

Tucson would be able to find a way to get on the board once more, however, as Lane Pederson recorded an early goal of his own just 3:08 into the third period. Pederson’s goal just added to a really hot streak of his own, recording six goals in the last four games.

With the win, the Roadrunners improve to 5-1 on the season, and will play Iowa once more Saturday night before preparing to welcome the Chicago Wolves to town just a short few days later.

For Roadrunners news and updates, be sure to follow Rob Leano on Twitter @RobLeano1