Monster Jam Takeover

Voice of the Roadrunners Jonathon Schaffer and Arizona Daily Star's James Kelley recap Tucson's two-game series against the San Jose Barracuda as the team heads out for a five-game 10-day road trip starting in Loveland Colorado versus the Eagles. They talk about Forward Curtis Douglas' recent play, post-trade deadline looks of the team and how the standings look with 12 games left on the regular season calandar. They also hear from Head Coach Steve Potvin and Douglas after Saturday's 6-5 shootout win. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
When you want more road Runners, We've got more road Runners.
This is the Tucson Roadrunners Insider Podcast with a voice
of the road Runners, Jonathan Shafer.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
What advice do you have for me?

Speaker 3 (00:13):
Drink a lot of water.

Speaker 1 (00:13):
It's pretty odd and your new best friend, my best friend,
Arizona Daily Stars James Kelly. The guys are already talking,
so let's join them right here on your Twucson Roadrunners
Insider podcast.

Speaker 4 (00:28):
The ice is gone, the flooring is getting in, the
monster jams are coming upon us, Lots happening here at
the twoson Arena. But now the Roadrunners back on the
road trip for a five game roadie going against the
Colorado Eagles this upcoming Saturday and Sunday. But prior to that,
a fantastic four game homestand for the Roadrunners, a fantastic

(00:51):
two game series against the San Jose Bear could have
probably some of the best games of the season for Tucson.
Welcome to everyone on this insider podcast. My name is
Jonathan Schaeffer. Alongside me Arizona Daily Stars James Kelly. We
have a lot to uncover this past four game homestand
two Son gets back on the winning calumn two huge
victories against the San Jose Barracuda. Now heading back on

(01:13):
the road on a five game road trip starting this
weekend against the Colorado Eagles, and then we face off
the Ontario rain for the final time this season, the
San Diego goals for the final time this season, and
then Bakersfield for We have them a couple more times
as well, but it's the third to last game against
the Condor, so lots still happening for the Roadrunners as

(01:33):
the team continues to push on for the Calder Cup playoffs.
James probably the two best games of the year against
San Jose this past weekend.

Speaker 2 (01:44):
Saturday Night Saturday.

Speaker 4 (01:45):
Night, winning three to one, are getting three goals in
the first period, winning that game six to three, second
game six five shootout.

Speaker 2 (01:52):
It was just utter chaos.

Speaker 4 (01:54):
We had first Responders Night on Saturday, Saint Patrick's Day
on Sunday, and just two great wins for Tucson.

Speaker 5 (02:02):
Yeah, it was a huge series for Arizona. I've heard
tu soon because he used a series for their rown
owners with coming off a couple disappointing losses, you know,
brutal losses against Ontario where they had they had the
lead and they gave up three three goals in the
road too loose for four to two both nights, but
then they come back and they have a great turnaround
on on on the weekend, they they're able to protect

(02:23):
their lead. On Saturday, you know, they jumped up to
the big lead and they're able to protect their lead
and get the win. And then obviously on Sunday they
came back and had that great, that exciting.

Speaker 3 (02:33):
Shoot shoot out wins.

Speaker 5 (02:34):
So it's and not not only it's important to get
those points, but it's important to get points before you're
heading out. And it's a long, tough, tough road trip
in terms of it's that the last long road trip
they have the season in terms of a number of games.
It's also against some tough teams first place Colorado, and
you're also playing against some teams that they're ahead of
you and the standings obviously and the opportunity to get

(02:55):
points from those teams, but those teams are also looking
to scare their cross spots. So it's a it's a
big series, big big growth trip coming up after a big,
big series for the road owners.

Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, this this road trip is is not going to
be easy by any means.

Speaker 4 (03:08):
You know, when you have to go into Colorado, which
they sell out their crowd every single night.

Speaker 2 (03:13):
Blue Arena is a great atmosphere.

Speaker 4 (03:15):
And it's crazy to think our first two games of
this season was in Colorado and now we fast forward
all the way to now with twelve more games left
on the season, and we go back there and I
think it's gonna be you know, cool for you know,
our newer guys on the team and just everybody, because
we're gonna see like, wow, look at what we were
at then to where we're at now, you know, including
including us, right. You know, that was the beginning of

(03:37):
the season when we were figuring stuff out ourselves with
you know, the huge transition of the great Adrian Denny
leaving to the Utah Hockey Club and you know, kind
of going on the first road trip with the team,
it was it was quite insane. And to look back
on that weekend and now it's like, wow, what a
what a growth for this entire team. You know, we
we've been through so much with the eight game losing

(03:58):
skid and you know, the busy weeks, the busy road trips,
all the awesome Qumity events that we've done. You know,
we we have one coming up tonight on this Tuesday
at Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers for a Dusty Forced Spring event. So,
you know, just just a lot still happening, of course,
But to look back at that first week in to now,
it's this team has gone through so much and you know, James,

(04:20):
it's it's it's a it could potentially be a you know,
a early first round playoffs, a preview. You know, Uh, Colorado,
I I gotta say it. I think they're gonna win
the division. That was a big prediction that Adrian and
I had this past offseason. We thought that we were
gonna be competing for first place with Colorado. Obviously not happening,
but for Colorado to be in first place is honestly

(04:43):
not too shocking to me.

Speaker 2 (04:44):
And I think they're gonna win a division.

Speaker 4 (04:46):
But if they don't, if they maybe get second place
or something and Tucson stays in that seventh seed, this
could be an early preview of the first round. So
I think luckily for us, every game feels like a
playoff game down this stretch right. It was different last
year where we didn't have it, We didn't have the
you know, anything secured for that home mis advantage until

(05:06):
the second to last week of the season. But you know,
the pressure wasn't as on this team as it is
right now. And I think it's good for us that
every game is going to feel like a playoff game.
This series is going to feel like a playoff series,
and it's just going to build our team up to
get ready for that postseason more and more. And if
you want to make it to the Calder Cup Final,
if you want to get to the Western Conference Final,

(05:28):
I think Colorado's the team to beat. It's going to
be a team that you have to face off eventually,
especially for Tucson, if for one of the lower seeds
entering into the playoffs. So this is a good opportunity
for us to really, you know, gain some eyes on
this team. We've only had one win against them in
the four games that we played, but another one going
to overtime too so and they've all been great games.
All the games we played against Colorado have been really close,

(05:50):
tight matchups. They're a fantastic team. We have a really
similar style to what they play, so I expect just
the same this weekend.

Speaker 5 (05:58):
Yeah, I remember back in that first weekend when the
big takeaway they had was that it really felt like
a playoff series.

Speaker 3 (06:03):
You know, we were both.

Speaker 5 (06:04):
Thinking that those teams are going to be at the
top of the division, competing for not only division title,
but to go deep in in the playoffs. And they
didn't disappoint, and both the Runners and Eagles. And it's
it's obviously you talked about how tough it is to
go there. You know, it's a it's a little out
of the way in terms of the proas most of

(06:26):
the teams are looking in the Southwest, you know, a
little bit, there's Samuels up in North calin then there's
obviously Canadian teams, but for the most part the the
division is looking in the Southwest.

Speaker 3 (06:37):
But you have to go out. You have to go out.
Basically you have to go you know, another.

Speaker 5 (06:41):
Time zone basically, not not technically, but you know, and
in fact you have to actually in reality you have
to go another times on over and you have to
travel over there.

Speaker 3 (06:48):
And so the altitude and the.

Speaker 5 (06:50):
Fans are the fans are good, the the teams are
always good at Colorado, so it's a really tough road trip.
But the Runners have actually done well there lately. You know,
they they got that split at the beginning of the
season and then they just a couple of years ago
when they had that huge sweep at the end of
the Sea towards the end of the season which helped
them get get in the playoffs at Colorado. So that
it's a it's a tough place to play, but the

(07:12):
runners in the past have played up that, played up
to that, you know, played well and played up to
that that role.

Speaker 4 (07:19):
You know. Yeah, it's it's been good and everyone's been
stepping up lately. James, like, that's that's why we're starting
to see the wins. And we we got to talk
about Curtis Douglas, who we're gonna hear from uh it
momentarily uh with with Elliana Dad. We also have Steve
poppin uh from an interview from post game on Saturday too.

Speaker 2 (07:36):
But what the heck?

Speaker 4 (07:38):
Right, Like, it's I don't even it's it's so great,
but it's like what whoa like this was? I wouldn't
say unexpected, but it's just like.

Speaker 2 (07:46):
Out of nowhere.

Speaker 4 (07:47):
So Curtis Douglas five goals in his last four games.
He scored in every single game of this four game
home stand, three of them scored the first goal of
the night for Tucson. This is his first uh four
game goal streak in his career, probably the best stretch
probably maybe the best four games that he's played in
his career, and it's been great. He's you know, now

(08:10):
up to a good amount of goals on the season
at eight, surpassing his season high from last year. He
had five last year and now all of a sudden,
Sunny gets the A with the goals in his last
few games. He actually had eight in the twenty two
twenty three season. Season high in goals twenty one to
twenty two year at thirteen when he was with the

(08:30):
Toronto Marley's organization. So Curtis Douglas still has a chance
to you know, hit a couple of season highs at
least goal wise. But it's just been awesome, you know.
It's awesome to see him go on this absolute tear
for us and really contribute to the winning against San Jose.
It was hard to get those victories against Ontario, but

(08:52):
in San Jose he scored some big goals right or
against against the San Jose Bear could he scored some
big goals with the first one on Saturday, which helped
us get three goals in the first paid, which we
ultimately needed because San Jose made it close. We ended
up winning the game six to three, but got some
empty netters at the end. And then he scored a
huge goal when we were down what was it five,

(09:12):
five to three? Yeah, we were down five three. He
scores one, makes it five to four, and then we
ended up tying the game later on. So it's it
was huge for Curtis Douglas to score those goals for
us again, five goals in the last four games. Ryan McGregor,
his best friend on the team, his road roommate, those
two have been great friends for a long time, has
been also a big factor. He's been helping Curtis Douglas

(09:34):
setting him up for these goals. Julian Lutts getting in
the mix of it as well. So we found a
nice little good line with I wouldn't say little, but
a good line with McGregor, Douglas and and Lutts, And
I think, you know, we kind of have this new
rebranded version of an identity line.

Speaker 2 (09:50):
You know, we've talked, we've had identity lines in the past.

Speaker 4 (09:54):
You know that line that Steve Poppins gonna throw out
when we need you know, we need something, you know,
we need a little spark, and we've seen the Juggernaut
line do that when Travis bar and Hunter Drew and
Curtis Douglas are together. But now we have this new
revamped identity line of Ryan McGregor, Curtis Douglas and Julian
Lutz and it works. And that's what's been so awesome
to see, right, you know, the depth scoring that we

(10:16):
continue to have Hunter Drew and Travis Barron coming off
of multiple point games on Saturday.

Speaker 2 (10:21):
Maximilian Zueber need to talk about him too.

Speaker 4 (10:23):
He's been on an absolute tear for the road Runners
as well, especially on the power Play, and it's been
a huge benefactor for Tucson and that's why we were
just able to get those wins against San Jose, just
the depth scoring that helped us.

Speaker 5 (10:36):
Yeah, he's going back to Curtis Tuglas real quick. And
it was funny after, you know, when I am heading
into the series, I did a you know, advanced story,
which is you know, kind of a previous story, which
are generally features, and I did a story on him
because Billy scored those two goals in that first this
was after the Ontario series, and really scored those two

(10:57):
goals and consecutive games. And last year he had I
think two goals the whole month of March, and they
were separated by a couple of weeks, a few weeks whatever.
So I was like, well, he's really Ontario's really doing
well because in terms of stats, you know, he always
does well. In terms of intangibles and and then that
kind of stuff. But I was like, well, this is
really really good time to do a story on him,
because not only that, but obviously somebody's also doing.

Speaker 3 (11:17):
The March for Most thing, so that's most for March thing,
I should say, excuse me.

Speaker 5 (11:23):
So so that was cool to talk to him, and
then the lead for the story. The lead is basically
the the intro, the kind of thing that we try
to get people hood on a little kind of interesting
thing you have. At the beginning the first draft or two,
I talked about like, well, marches for marches means most
for christ Douglas, but this this year also of these goals.
But then he went off and scored three goals again
in the in the Santose series, So it's just great

(11:46):
to see that, and you know he's and he's not
only scoring goals, but he's scoring different rity goals, so
that that's that's showing that he's really doing well. And
those are obviously couch goals. You know he just talked
about even in Ontario when they lost, those are those
are goals when they did up, did get did build
up that lead. So even when they lost those two games,
those are really big, big goals and he's just been

(12:07):
really crucial in helping them stay in the playoff on
right now.

Speaker 2 (12:11):
Yeah, it's all more suiting right.

Speaker 4 (12:13):
So every month of sorry, every year, for the month
of March, Curtis Douglas UH has it go fund me
as he raises money for the UH to benefit the
Center for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation calls it March
Mullets for Mental Health. That's why you see Curtis Douglass
in the mullet all throughout the month of March. H
he hasn't go fund me right now for to just uh,

(12:35):
you know, just spread the awareness of mental health. Uh,
you know, for the month of March, and right now
for his go fundme, he has he has a three
point of five k goal, three thousand five hundred and
he is at three thousand ninety five, so he's he's
he's getting there.

Speaker 2 (12:51):
He's very close.

Speaker 4 (12:52):
But uh, if you folks listening in on this broadcast
want to really benefit a great foundation at Curtis Douglas's building,
we'll we'll put the link on this description for this,
uh this week's episode. We're having him on the Happy
Hour show tonight as well. If you're listening in on
this Tuesday, Uh, we'll be having him on the show
just to you know, not only talk about his great tear,
but talk about, you know, what what he's been up

(13:13):
to this month with the March mullets for Mental Health
and uh, you know, just what's it been like raising
the charity for that every single year. So congratulations to
Curtis Douglas. Shout out to him again for you know,
doing something that's that's awesome and tremendous and helps a
little bit too that he's going on this tear right now.

Speaker 5 (13:33):
Yeah, it's there's basically honestly, all the guys on the
Runners I've talked to are good guy, so good to
fun talk to, but he's really one of those guys
that is really special, really really great guy really fun
to talk to, really one of those guys that you
come away with them. Actually talked to him. You're like,
you feel like it was it was a great, great
thing to come come up and do that. And he's

(13:55):
the guy who it was funny last last week he
talked about on the on the Happy Hour Show, you
talked to Slush podcasts, you talked about I'll talk to
Travis Baron about well, or he's not having as many
fights this year.

Speaker 3 (14:08):
I don't know.

Speaker 5 (14:10):
I didn't have a fight card for Chris Doutle's for
for that, but just look at pillling mints. Penling mints
are down. But he seems even more active this year,
even more even before those goals. He just seemed more active,
more aggressive, more even not just fights, but just to check,
you know, lots of I'm getting there, getting getting the puck,
getting steals, and obviously getting goals. So it's he's having

(14:30):
a really great year, not just in terms of staffs,
but in terms of those intilligibles I talked about.

Speaker 2 (14:36):
Yeah, and you know he's he's not a guy who's
gonna light up the lamp.

Speaker 4 (14:40):
I mean he has been his these last four games
again five goals and in the last four games. But
uh no, he's he's the kind of player that's, uh,
that's gonna go hard on the for check. He's gonna
play aggressive, he's gonna get in a scrap when he
needs to to kind of, you know, juvenate the line
if we're having a bad period or or whatnot, or
maybe when we're up and we want to keep the
pressure going, then you'll get in a good scrap as well.

(15:02):
So yeah, this season, Kurz Douglass had eight goals, eleven assists,
nineteen points. He had twenty one points last season, so
he's close to, you know, matching his season high points
last year. And then he was traded by the Toronto
Marleys to the road Runners the year prior in the
twenty two twenty three years, but his best season of
his career came in the twenty one to twenty two

(15:22):
season with the Marleys. Sixty seven games played, that's a
career high in a single season, thirteen goals a career high,
and twenty one assists as well with thirty four points.
Bill Curtis Douglas most likely won't match the thirty four
points unless he went on a crazy tear in the
last twelve games of the season. It's still great to see,
you know, a late like kind of late season push.

(15:43):
And remember when we saw Hunter Drew did it last year.
You know, Andre Drew had the nine points in the
last nine games of the season and including a playoff
goal as well. And you know, we're we're kind of
looking for that next guy, you know, who's gonna really
step up when we need it. And again last year, yes,
we were in the players and we we clinched the
playoffs pretty early on and uh yeah, we were still

(16:05):
fighting for the first round. Uh you know, home ice advantage,
but I think fighting for a playoff spot, it's is
much more, you know, much more pressure on the team.
So you know, if a guy like Curtis Douglas just
continues this run and really helps this team make the playoffs,
it's it's that's what's really conjuvenate the locker room. You know,

(16:25):
you play for a guy like Curtis Douglas, and you
know even Ryan McGregor and Julian LUTs too, So it's
a it's awesome to see and maybe we see another
Hunter Drew like run for Curtis Douglas this time to
end off the season and we make the playoffs.

Speaker 3 (16:40):
Yeah, that would be great.

Speaker 5 (16:41):
Another another reason why they rot has been playing really
well late is the booster getting and Ragozina back.

Speaker 3 (16:46):
He helps.

Speaker 5 (16:47):
He had a great night on Saturday he at the
Patrick and Henk got another point on on suddenly. But
also one of the interesting things about when you're talking
about San Jose, they had Andrew Polowski. He obviously he
came in from Coachella Valley and he's been on a tear. Obviously,
he's so he was so popular in Coachella Valley that
they cheered him at the All Star Game every time

(17:08):
he was introducder, every time he got the puck. You know,
he was so popular even though he's playing to playing
for a division arrival now. But it was kind of
weird that on Saturday he got the he took over
the points, you know, the points record for San Jose
for the single season points record, and then on Sunday
he took over the goals record, which was set a
couple of years ago by a guy I think we

(17:30):
all know, Andrew Agazino. So it's kind of funny how
they how he was in the in the mix obviously
for the Roadrunners and and but still still San Jose.

Speaker 3 (17:38):
So that that was really interesting.

Speaker 2 (17:40):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (17:40):
So Andrew Agazino the year, I uh my last year
with the San Jose bear Cudah. Yeah, ironically enough had
the season high or career high or record high gosh
in all times scoring in a single season for the
San Jose bear Cuda that year twenty six goals, thirty
five assists for sixty one points. And Poularowski, who honestly

(18:01):
did a lot of damage against the Roadrunners in those
two games at twenty seven goals thirty eight says for
sixty five points. Now, so he is the all time
single season scoring leader now for the San Jose Barracuda
did in the same game that Agazino got the hat trick.
So it was a it was very ironic, and I
think the best part of that entire series, you know,

(18:22):
besides the comeback and besides the that nasty shootout goal
or both shootout goals by Sammy Walker Maximilian Zuber, it
was Matthew Bolalta stopping the top score in the entire
American Hockey League Andrew Polarowski for the final.

Speaker 2 (18:36):
Save of the shootout.

Speaker 4 (18:36):
It was just a Cherry on top perfect ending to
that series and the season series as well. So the
Roadrunners do beat the San Jose Barracuda in the season series,
you know, with the with the nice four to two record,
you know, got gave San Jose the one point, but
we're only three points behind him now for the sixth
seed as well in the Pacific Division race. So Tucson again,

(18:57):
now we're starting to talk about not only trying to
hang on to that seven and seed, but really start
to push for the sixth seed. With San Jose getting huge,
a huge four points against them and only giving them
one in return.

Speaker 3 (19:10):
Yeah, it's really tightening up.

Speaker 5 (19:11):
Last week I talked about how they had the opportunity
against playing Ontario. They're chasing Ontario, which was at the
time their fourth and they had that last playoff spot,
our last home I Savanah spot in the first round.
But now they've especially since they got those four points
at Tucson, they've jumped up there in second place now
and now they're contending for the division title. But if
you look at the actual fourth place spot now held

(19:31):
by Alvisford, there Nerds are six games back. I'm six
wain s excuse me? Six points back, and they're you know,
they're even in games. They had a couple games and
hand Ontario had a couple of games in hand on Tucson,
so it would have been tough to catch them. But
the actual spot that they're actually chasing is Abasford with
sixty nine points, who Calgary also has sixty nine, So

(19:53):
Tucson is at at seventh, and then you have Abbasford
and Calgary tied up at fourth. That's gonna be kind
of I hope two songs kind of probably would have
hoped for, you know, the standings change a little bit
more because they're right now they have they lose a
tie riker against both Abosford and Calgary if it's the
one team tie because they have Habitsford and Calgary have

(20:17):
both have more regulation wins. But then again, if the
runers do have to catch up, do get to catch
up and get those points and they probably do that
getting regulation wins, so that would improve, I guess. So,
but that's one thing that if you're a runer, you
kind of hope for, not a not a tie or
or or even you know, even if it's three way tie,
they still go back to regulation wins so but it's

(20:37):
really tightened up, and we talked about how how tough
that top of the division is. With Colorado they have
seventy six points, they've they're kind of pulling away a
little bit, Ontario chopped up to seventy two, and then
Coachell has fallen on the seventy one at at third place.
So that there was a point when that when those
top four or five teams were kind of separating themselves.

(20:58):
But now you're seeing like with two on with their
sweep against San Jose, who in sixth place and they're
three points behind Sanose now, but with that sweep of
San Jose, they're moving up and they're they're really tightening up,
and that you see like between the second place and
seventh place things are really tightening up.

Speaker 3 (21:17):
Really, things are really close. There's very little margin for air. Really.

Speaker 5 (21:22):
You know, it's a situation situation where you look at
that and you think, well, this division is so tough,
and that's something we talked about all year. But you're
now seeing that at the end of the year, which normally,
you know, when we have a season like this, a
long season, they kind of the teams kind of separate themselves.
And you see, yeah, there's definite first division, second division

(21:44):
within divisions, you know, but everyone's really.

Speaker 3 (21:47):
Close right now.

Speaker 5 (21:48):
And even San Diego and Henderson, who were just kind
of buried, they've been doing pretty well late. And obviously
Paker shield chasing chasing, trying to get that Tucson trying
to get that AST playoff spot.

Speaker 3 (22:00):
So it just just it's just a really tight vision,
really really exciting end.

Speaker 4 (22:04):
Yeah, it's going to be an absolutely insane finish. And
I still don't count out the road Runners not hosting
in the first round. It's you know, we make it
as if it is, but you know, it's just it's
just a tough hill to climb when you really have
to chase Abbotsford and Abbotsford they're there's They've been streaky
all season. They going on like a five game winning streak.
They're on one right now at five and zero. Then

(22:24):
they lose their next five. So if they continue to
maybe kind of Teether Todd or like that, Calgary's completely collapsing.

Speaker 2 (22:30):
Still.

Speaker 4 (22:31):
They're a team that's uh, just like last season had
the worst record, one of the worst records in the
league going into the playoffs. Obviously they they swapped twos
on the first round, so it didn't mean much. And
then yeah with San Jose two. As much as they
are a very talented team again that they have the
top scorer in the league and they're a very quick team, Uh,
their goalie situation is a bit tough too. We're talking

(22:52):
about in the broadcast this past weekend. And you know,
Aaron Dell in the game too, struggled a lot, uh,
you know, couldn't keep that lead for the Barracuda. And
then other than that, they have a goaltender who's in
his first full season in the American Hockey League and
he hasn't even played really a handful of big amount
of games because they ask they have Ask Groff, who's injured.

(23:13):
He has no timetable of return at the moments, I
don't even know if he'll be back for the playoffs.
And then for Yogi Romanov, he's not eligible to be
back with the with the Barrakuda because he was not
on the roster at the trade deadline with the rules there.
So they're kind of in a bit of a weird
spot right now with the the goaltending situation. No HL

(23:34):
trade deadline acquisitions to talk about either for really any
team in the Pacific Division. I don't think, at least
not for us. We didn't make any moves, which was good.
I don't think we needed to really do anything else.
We're good with what we have. You know, getting Sammy
Walker in that trade, you know, in that All Star
Break trade was was all we needed, right and then
now everyone's stepping up at the right time.

Speaker 5 (23:55):
Yeah, you don't want to be boss and they're making
the trade, you know, at the trade deadline, all but
what was gonna make this in that But in this league,
more and more often, not especially with the actual HL
trade trade deadline itself, you would be losing players. So
you don't really want to be making moves if you're
already said, if I are doing well, if I already
have that boost they got from someone like Simmy Walker

(24:15):
coming in, and that that's something that obviously he he
continues to score, He continues to do well. Let me
he he had a he had a good series two
against San Jose. So again he continues to do well,
continues to you know, one one thing you're talking about,
we're talking abut Curtis Douglas. Where he he's from, not

(24:36):
from Toronto, but from between Hamilton and Toronto, so when
he and the Marley traded him, it was kind of
having to leave home, you know, kind of come over
the to soon come over to the Southwest, and that
was a big change.

Speaker 3 (24:48):
Rim.

Speaker 5 (24:49):
Same thing happened with Sammie where he he's from Minnesota
and he got drafted by the Wild organization and then
he played for the Iole Wild in the last couple
of years. So that's a big change.

Speaker 3 (24:58):
Ram.

Speaker 5 (24:58):
So both both those guys who have come over from
kind of their hometown or home home area NHL teams,
they've come over and done really well. So it's as
I think this trade deadline trade trade season. I think
this is where Oute Well played for the UH for
two soon slash you taught for in terms of the

(25:19):
road ouwners, how how they're doing.

Speaker 4 (25:21):
Yeah, and you never know too, James, Right, So Sammy
Walker UH is a free agent after this season, so
not guaranteed to come back.

Speaker 2 (25:28):
That's a thing we'll worry about when the offseason comes.

Speaker 4 (25:31):
But you know, you know, Curtis Duggles was a mid
season trade acquisition and now he's you know kind of
just those those main staples of Tucson, right, like the
Cameron he Bigs and the Ryan McGregor's and the Travis Barns.
And there's a reason why these guys continue to re
sign and come back to the team because they believe
in this organization. They believe this organization is going to
develop them the best way possible with the you know,

(25:52):
with Steve Pop and you know running the show. And
it could be the same story with Sammy Walker, who knows,
like we would love to have them back obviously, but
oportunities or opportunities, and they know, that's just what makes
these mid season trade so exciting, especially to see a
guy like you know, Sammy Walker and Curtis Douglass have
success with this team, you know since since coming to

(26:13):
the organization. And you know, again back to Sammy Walker,
just what a magnificent job for John Ferguson to, you know,
go out and and get this guy from the All
Star trade acquisition. Fifteen goals in his first eighteen games
with the Roadrunners, with five goals in ten assists, got
the game time goal on Sunday to tidy get him
up five to five, and then he was the first

(26:34):
one to go in the shootout and absolutely sniped it
through Aaron Dell, and you.

Speaker 2 (26:38):
Know it's just he's just he's right at home now.

Speaker 4 (26:40):
You know, he's he's already a fan favorites and he
was a fan favorite with the Iowa Wild and Minnesota
Wild organizations, and you know, it's just been awesome to
you know, really see him help this team push for
the playoffs and you know, could be scoring some big
playoff goals eventually too.

Speaker 2 (26:56):
And it's it's still gonna just be a wow.

Speaker 4 (26:58):
I can't believe we got this guy at the All
Star Break trade, you know, just out of nowhere, thinking like, okay,
this will help our team, and then it has really
helped our team.

Speaker 5 (27:08):
Now it's also kind of fun for him, you know
probably you know, it's it's still you know, kind of
quick and changing that changing dynamics, so coming to a
new new city, new new division and everything new new everything.
But it's also kind of has to be fun to
come up and come into the thick of a playoff
race where he he obviously came from, you.

Speaker 3 (27:31):
Know, he came from Iowa, Iowa, which.

Speaker 5 (27:34):
There's a little they have a little different situation with
their with their division where the obviously in the in
the in the Pacific Division, where you have ten teams
and you have seventeens like the playoffs. There's a little
different where they have seven teams and five teams like
the playoffs.

Speaker 3 (27:50):
So they have a little bit debt in her bracket.

Speaker 5 (27:52):
But they're not they're probably I mean, they're not officially eliminated,
but ioways there. They've been out of the hunt for
a while. I'll really realise the hunts. So it's probably
a big boost of fun exciting for him to come
up and get to a team that's contending for the playoffs,
that's making that run. That's one thing that you talked
to him last Yearad said unless road trip and the

(28:14):
road trip before that, and he kept talking about that
push and they're going after that, going after that playoff spot.
So that has to be fun for him to get
in that have the excitement to come in and do that.
That's one thing that I remember when when Josh Stone
came in where he was playing at a s U
and they didn't have as good a season as they're
having now his his last year at a s U,

(28:36):
and he came up and to runners when they're making
that push, a couple of years ago to get back
in the playoffs, So that was exciting for him. Exciting
to get that boost. Excite me to get into a
team that's contending for the playoffs, so being in the
playoff chase, So that's probably a fun thing for Sammy also.

Speaker 4 (28:51):
Yeah, and that's why you don't really need to go
to aggressive at least at the age i'll trade deadline,
because you you potentially have prospects coming in on on
atos right, and we saw Sam Lipkin come in with
us last season, Josh Stone the year before. Again, have
no idea who could be coming to join us or
if we even have anyone come joined the team in

(29:13):
the late season.

Speaker 2 (29:14):
Connor Geege last year as well for the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (29:17):
Then he was traded to the tam Bay Lightning organization
for Mikhail Sergachev on that blockbuster trade.

Speaker 2 (29:23):
So we'll see what happens.

Speaker 4 (29:24):
We'll see if any more pieces are added to the
team now, prospect wise from either college or the juniors,
when the juniors and college seasons now are wrapping up
a bit. So yeah, still a lot of new faces
could be coming to this team. But still at the
same time, to have Sammy Walker, you know, midseason acquisition trade,
score huge goals for.

Speaker 2 (29:43):
Us, especially against San Jose.

Speaker 4 (29:45):
I don't know what it is, but like he's just
been so big on turning this team around, right, you
know that eight game losing streak. We play San Jose
the start of the Gems show trip. He gets four
points in that game, and then he gets more points
against San Jose, including a huge game time goal that
we we really needed, right, and then we're able to
you know, tie up the game and take it to
the shootout and all so great to have him with

(30:07):
the squad.

Speaker 2 (30:08):
Excited to see what he does with everyone else too.

Speaker 4 (30:11):
Agazino back with the team, scoring that hat trick against
his former team, Curtis Douglass now on a run two
with goals in five of his last four games. How
to talk about Maximilian Zuber too, mentioned him a little
bit earlier, but you know, just maybe just because more
he's been on more of the assists. Wise, hasn't necessarily
been scoring goals for twoson, but he's still been extremely

(30:32):
huge for the team as well, especially on the power play.
So for Maximilian Zuber, he's on a three game point
streak now he has five points in his last three
games overall seven points.

Speaker 2 (30:48):
In his last six games. Sorry, had to count that
real quick.

Speaker 4 (30:50):
So seven points in his last six games with one
goal and the six assists and if I'm not mistaken,
I think five of them on the power play, so
he has five power play points uh in his last
six games. And overall just has been on an absolute
tear for the Roadrunners as well. So Maximu and Zuber

(31:11):
is out of the sudden uh contributing to the the
to the scoring as well, and that's what you need
from the Blue Liners. Robbie Russo have some good runs
Artam Dude as well, and it's just still really just
all coming together for the Roadrunners at the perfect time.

Speaker 5 (31:26):
Yeah, the Runners, it seems like every you know, every
few games, every every few like you know, every road
trip or every home stenter or something, there's some defensiven
that's coming up and getting a big goal, getting getting
a big sist or obviously Matt Matt Maxi he had
those three three assists on Friday on Saturday and that

(31:46):
led to that big win on Saturday, and he got
the second second start of the game.

Speaker 3 (31:49):
So it's just interesting.

Speaker 5 (31:51):
They have a lot of two way defensemen that there's
guys who come in like leyden More who you knew
coming in that he's gonna yeah, he's gonna be he's
gonna be a guy who's to provide a lot offense too,
and and he just knew his bit big plays on defense.
But also there's guys like Matania and Bucci who who
you know doesn't rescore a lot, but he's coming He's

(32:11):
come up with some big, big goals. So there's a
lot of guys on on the blue line that are
for the for the Runners that are coming up big
and coming up getting big points, getting big goals, getting
big assists. So is it really interesting to see because
you know, obviously the forwards are doing well, you know,
they continue to do well, but the defensemen have been
continued to do put up, put up points and contribute

(32:31):
to the offense and especially the power play like that.

Speaker 4 (32:35):
So Maximilian Zueber seven points in his six games, with
six of them coming on the power play for the Roadrunners.
Power plays also has been clicking for the Roadrunners as
well in that four game home stand, scoring three total
power play goals. Over the weekend, PK struggled actually a
lot but you know, at the end of the day,
you get the wins and that's all that matters.

Speaker 2 (32:56):
Let's get to our interviews.

Speaker 4 (32:59):
Finally got Curtis Douglas first after the post game, you know,
with his huge weekend, his huge entire home stand.

Speaker 2 (33:07):
With the five goals in the last four games.

Speaker 4 (33:09):
Eliana Dibert, who does our intermission interviews, does our first
star interviews as well at the Tucson Arena, caught up
with Curtis Douglass after the huge victory to talk about
his play and just what it was like for Tucson
to get that sweep over San Jose.

Speaker 2 (33:22):
Hey, Curtis, having your first two game.

Speaker 6 (33:24):
Here tonight and your fifth goal and your last four games,
how has it felt funding such success in this Homestand yeah.

Speaker 7 (33:29):
I mean I got to play with my roommate and
really good friend Ryan McGregor and a really good friend Dreelian.
Lots and chemistry was just there and it was it
was pretty fun to get out there and play with them,
and they did an amazing job. I was just fortunate
to come out with some bounces and a few goals,
which was nice.

Speaker 6 (33:44):
Additionally, walking in with four points and sweeping San Jose
What was a locker room like after the game.

Speaker 7 (33:49):
Yeah, I think we had faith in our abilities and
our our mindset throughout the whole game. I think there
was some some things throughout the game that we couldn't
control that went wrong, and we just kind of tried
to stay on point and stay focused and continue to
play our game. And we did that and it was
just amount of time until we came back and I got.

Speaker 3 (34:05):
The two points.

Speaker 2 (34:06):
Thank you, Curtis, congratulations. So that that tatter here in
the background.

Speaker 4 (34:11):
That was our post game jersey auction, so we had
to try to get the interviews in with the post
game jersey auction. But yeah, you know, that's what's huge
about this this team, James, is the belief, right. This
team believes in one another. They believe that they can
win every single game that they they go out there
and put out there on the ice. And when you
have belief, that's that's deadly for for any team, especially

(34:32):
when you're going against one of the top Juggernauts this
weekend against Colorado. As long as you believe in yourself,
you can win any game. That sounds cliche, It sounds cliche,
but it's true.

Speaker 3 (34:43):
Yeah, it's important.

Speaker 5 (34:43):
It's it's important, especially you look at what happened on
Saturday when they have that big you know, they had
that big win on Friday.

Speaker 3 (34:51):
On Saturday.

Speaker 5 (34:51):
Excuse me, I'm all turned around because the word schedule
words in terms of we're used to Friday and Saturday.

Speaker 3 (34:57):
This weekend was Saturday and Sunday.

Speaker 5 (35:00):
But when when they jumped out to that big lead
on Saturday in where they will hold on and then
kind of flipped the script on a bit on on
Sunday when San Jose just came out in a tear.
I mean, Hunter scored the first goal, but they scored
two power play goals in a row, and then McCartney
scored and then Porowski scored another power play and they

(35:20):
were just like on a tear in terms of power play.
They had four power play goals in the first you know,
first two periods, plus scored one in the beginning of
the third period. It just felt like, oh man, this
is going to be a route and in favor of
the Barracuda, but the road Unders are able to come back,
you know. Chris Douglas got that got that big goal,

(35:42):
you know in the third period, and then Sammy Walker
tied the tied the game in the power play, and
again even even within that, even within overtime, when they
had the it felt like, you know, it felt like
there it was gonna be an overtime that a game
that they would lose, you know, if not overtime, in
the shoot out or something, because you they had the
four and three power play, which in the in the overtime,

(36:03):
which you usually always score on because it's just such
a big advantage to have an extra guy when they
only have three guys like that in the overtime, but
they were able to you know, their barracuda killed that
power play, but their rununers were able to hold on
re you know, justin folk focus, and they're able to
get that big shoot out win.

Speaker 3 (36:25):
So that's a big thing.

Speaker 5 (36:26):
Their their belief, their confidence, and their they're poise. That's
the big big thing that I've noticed the whole year.
They've had poise. Even when they're dealing with college adversity,
they're able to step up. And even when they had
the Akame losing streak and they were they had all
these injury they had guys moving up and down, you know,
and there's a lot of certainty on that or any
of that. They're they're flying across the country, fight across
the continent too, I mean, because they're they're going to

(36:48):
use They didn't go to Canon that one, but you know,
flying around and everything. So it was kind of a
perfect storm of problems that they had to deal with.
And they did ultimately obviously lose those eight games to grow,
but they very close in almost all those games, and
it was it was Windles streak where yeah they were losing,
but they there were a couple of plays from ending

(37:10):
that many times and so that that that to me
shows their poise and ploys that they've showed all year long.

Speaker 4 (37:16):
Yeah, it's been it's been you know, just poised hockey
for the road Runners, right, And even when we said
it time and time again, even when we were on
that eight game slide, you knew it all of a sudden,
you don't win eight games after losing eight. It's just
that's just not how it works. Hey, we've seen it before,
but it's just it's a very rare occasion. It's a
slow process to get back to the winning And it

(37:37):
was that road trip that we needed, the Gem Show
trip where we went three three oh one came back
and had an almost perfect home stand, getting seven of
a possible total points, then a two and one road
trip and then a two and two home stand back.
But I think it's better to you know, you lose
the first two games against Ontario, but then you bounce
back for two games against the San Diego goals and

(37:58):
now we have to not have to but we we
want to see another good five game road trip. Even
if you went three and two, you'll take it, right, Uh,
just as long as you just keep having you know,
the these small winning percentages on these stretches, it's what's huge.
And the Roadrunners haven't had a losing stretch in some
of these things. Again, the three to three on one

(38:19):
road trip, uh, three oh one to oh home stand
getting seven of eight points, and then a two and
two home stand and then a two to one road
trip as well, so not losing and you know, near
five hundred as well. So that's just what the Roadrunners
need right now to really continue to push for the playoffs.
With Bakersfield they do have three games in hand and
Tucson meaning they have three less games played. But if

(38:41):
you if you have all access to flow sports, and
want to catch up on hockey. Watch some games that
are really big, huge ones for Tucson, which I might
watch this game just to watch it. Colorado's playing Bakersfield
on Tuesday tonight and Wednesday tomorrow if you're listening in
on this on this show on Tuesday. Uh so, best
case scenario, right, Colorado puts everything on sweeping Bakersfield and

(39:03):
then when they play us they have no more energy left.
So that's the that's the best case scenario for the Roadrunners,
as the Condors will get some games played and we
won't have to keep talking about it, say like, oh,
well they have they have to play three more games.

Speaker 2 (39:16):
Well, they lose these two, then it's not gonna matter.

Speaker 7 (39:18):
Right.

Speaker 4 (39:18):
People will always say like, oh, they have three games
in hand, that means they're gonna come back and match
the points or overpass. It's like, well, yeah, but they
gotta win the games, right, and they're playing against the
best team.

Speaker 2 (39:29):
In the division. So it's hopefully best case scenario for two.

Speaker 4 (39:33):
Soon we sit back and watch Bakersfield get swept with
no points, no overtime, and and we'll take it on
to Colorado.

Speaker 5 (39:40):
Yeah, there's nothing like there's no more case of optimism
and hope than we have games in hand and everyone
assumes that, oh all we're gonna win these games and
we're gonna but those games are actually at Colorado.

Speaker 3 (39:51):
So it was it was funny. I was looking at
the road in our schedule.

Speaker 5 (39:53):
I was like, yeah, this is a pretty pretty brutal
schedule I meant to end the season.

Speaker 3 (39:57):
I mean, they have the throw trip to Colorado.

Speaker 5 (40:00):
Uh, they know the rain who they're contending with carlad
Or for the division title, and the Runers haven't done
that well against them. And then they go to San Diego,
which you know they're in they're in ninth place, but
they they're they're six three oh to one the last
ten games, and they've been doing better. They're not like
a team where you know the situation where it's like
the end of the season and they're kind of a

(40:21):
team that's in last place or they're eliminated.

Speaker 3 (40:23):
They're kind of they voted in. They're definitely phoning in.
They're playing well, and then they they did.

Speaker 5 (40:27):
They go to Bakersfield, which is team that's fighting for
the last playoff spot, and then they have some tough
home games and really the only kind of quote unquote
easy games they have or are on Rockford because they're
under five hundred, but they're but there, that's over at
at Rockford. So US thinking like, wow, the Runners have
such a tough schedule and in of the season. But
then I looked over I was like, well, how about
Bakersfield because they're chasing Duson and you know they I

(40:51):
know they had that colors, So they have a tough
They have a tough schedule to end the season two.
So obviously I keep talking about how a tough division is,
but they have a tough schedule to finish season two.
So it's just really, you know, it's just kind of
it's it's just kind of funny how you look at it.
We've been looking at last few weeks like, oh, Bakershield
has a couple of games in hand, has three games
in hand, whatever. But now they're they're gonna it's gonna

(41:13):
gonna gonna kind of finally even out when they have
those two games this week where Tucson has the has
a little bit of practice week and then they they
travel Coroado. But in the meantime on Tuesday and Wednesday,
baker Shield has has to go to Colorado has that
has to face, that face, that tough team that's out
trying to trying to win the division, trying to get
that first DN by Yeah.

Speaker 2 (41:33):
Nothing will come easy for the road Runners.

Speaker 4 (41:35):
With twelve more games left on the schedule and five
more games for this upcoming ROACHO, let's get to our
last interview before we close things out. Steve povin our
head coach Eleana Dibert catching up with him after the
huge six five shootout victory on Sunday. I think I
might have said Saturday earlier. This was all Sunday. I know,
I get mixed up too, so used to the Friday
Saturday games. This was Sunday. Eleana Diebert catching up with

(41:58):
head coach Seve Pavin and Brad Kerner. Also, I slid
in a nice little fun question at the end too.
And we'll close things out with the interview. I've head
coach t pop and after the big six' five shootout
victory On, Sunday, okay, coach what was.

Speaker 6 (42:11):
The reaction from the bench seeing That Sammy walker goal
tying it up in the?

Speaker 8 (42:14):
THIRD i was insane and HONESTLY i, Was, Listen we're
just so proud of our guys that they were able
to fight through that type of. ADVERSITY i can't say,
that you, know it was a clean. GAME i thought
our five on five game was really. GOOD i, thought you,
know we can say what we want about.

Speaker 2 (42:36):
The refereeing or, whatever BUT i.

Speaker 8 (42:37):
Didn't think it was, necessarily.

Speaker 2 (42:43):
You, know called.

Speaker 8 (42:43):
APPROPRIATELY i, THOUGHT i don't think we deserved as many
penalties as we, got AND i thought it was just
unfortunate that we had to every time we had. Momentum
it just seemed like they kept calling a penalty against,
us which turned the momentum.

Speaker 6 (42:55):
Around, additionally you've now secured two wins against The what
do you think the team did especially well tonight to
repeat the success from yesterday's previous.

Speaker 2 (43:03):
Matchup, WELL i just liked that they, were.

Speaker 8 (43:08):
You, know, connected to be, HONEST i just liked the
fact that they were able to work through problems and
be able to find a way. In and there's a
lot to sort through. Tonight you, know guys were in
the penalty box for twelve minutes at a, time and
then two of our guys so they had the double,
shift and then you, know the guys that were came

(43:30):
out of the box and were out for twelve, minutes
had to sit again because of all the, penalties so
they didn't get to play very, much and they contributed
to wherever they, could and they just had a good
attitude about. It and it says a lot, about you,
know giving yourself up for the better of the better
minute of the, team and proud of the, guys proud
of their.

Speaker 6 (43:48):
Leadership and this season we've seen some intense games with type.
Scores how has the team been working hard to stay
mentally tough and perform in those high pressure, moments especially.

Speaker 2 (43:56):
Tonight, WELL i think it.

Speaker 8 (43:58):
Just comes down to, understanding you, know the abundance and
really buying into the abundance that we. Have we have
all of what we, need and we have the solutions
right inside of that locker, room and we, just you,
KNOW i think we just up the level of our
belief and you, know that's basically how it. Starts and

(44:21):
then when you do have the belief and you start
to really focus your attention on the on the game,
plan you're going to have. Success So i'm just proud
that they were able to, connect they were able to
understand that we do have the abundance in the room
and they were able to finish it to.

Speaker 6 (44:37):
Time and we're also joined By brad.

Speaker 2 (44:39):
Here, brad what do you have to? Say all?

Speaker 9 (44:41):
Right my question for you tonight is what's your Favorite
Saint Patrick's day?

Speaker 2 (44:45):
Tradition let's make it.

Speaker 4 (44:48):
Winning there you, Go thank, you, Coach thank you all,
right good question at the end From Brad curder for
head Coach Steve poppn as. Well great series victor for
The roadrunners sweeping The San Jose, barracuda probably the game
of the year with the six to five shootout win
On San jose and now The roadrunners on another tough

(45:09):
road trip coming. Up five game road trip starting this
weekend gets The Colorado eagles On saturday And, sunday and
we'll keep an eye on that series with The eagles
and The San Jose barcuda as.

Speaker 2 (45:19):
Well thanks everyone listening in on this. Podcast, james thanks
for joining.

Speaker 4 (45:22):
Us as, always we will see you later on tonight
for our Usual tuesday night get together with our very
special Guest Curtis douglass that we will talk about his
charity this month for The mental Health awareness and his
recent play as well as the team looks to continue
on for the playoff. Pushed you can find that right
On Fox sports fourteen fifty Am live or At Tucson

(45:45):
roadrunners dot com Slash Happy hour as well for the podcast,
version or On apple podcasts as.

Speaker 2 (45:50):
Well we'll throws things out with lights to two.

Speaker 4 (45:52):
Soon have a great rest of your, night, everybody great
rest of your, week and we will see you On
Roadrunners happy or or if not this week again In.
Colorado good night, Everyone good, afternoon whatever time it is right,
now we would see you later on this.

Speaker 9 (46:06):
Morning gotta see the lights Of. Tucson gotta, back won't
get a move. On gotta see the lights of two.

Speaker 2 (46:19):
Soon you're coming. Back, wheez get a.

Speaker 9 (46:33):
Just been my little onoms there And City.

Speaker 7 (46:36):
Candy listen to kid The.

Speaker 9 (46:38):
Tucson my heart is a yearning like. Braunching my wheels are.
Turning can't we be there with.

Speaker 5 (46:53):
Her by in The, cattelinos the lights of too.

Speaker 1 (46:57):
Sun shining in her.

Speaker 9 (47:04):
Ill never be? Alone Well neversona the It desert.

Speaker 1 (47:11):
Region this, guy you gotta see the Lions.

Speaker 9 (47:19):
TUCSON i got him.

Speaker 1 (47:20):
Back get a new.

Speaker 9 (47:22):
Move gotta see the lions Of tucson coming.

Speaker 1 (47:25):
Back we will get a.

Speaker 8 (47:27):
Move, bob.

Speaker 5 (47:32):
Follow you gotta see the, lights SO i gotta back
to the, moon get the, moon gotta.

Speaker 9 (47:41):
See the lights too soon and coming?

Speaker 2 (47:43):
Back will you get a voll