Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
When you want more Roadrunners, We've got more Roadrunners.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
This is the Tucson Roadrunners Insider podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Hello everybody, quick turn around, We're back.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Welcome to now officially this week's episode of the Tucson
roads Insider podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
It is Monday morning.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
My name is Jonathan Schaeffer, with me Arizona Daily Stars,
James Kelly James.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
We'll get right into it.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Very very hard fought series for the Roadrunners against the
Colorado Eagles.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Very much playoff like atmosphere.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Biggest weekend of the season and fan attendance wise, just
about eleven two hundred fans overall on this entire weekend.
We eclipsed six thousand on Star Wars Night, just over
five thousand on Sunday. Very successful weekend in that category.
They saw a great hockey overall. Unfortunately the Roadrunners. It
was both games. We're gonna hear from Ford, Cameron, hebig
(00:56):
defensive Montene and your Bucci and head coach Steve Povin
on this show after the series. Lots to talk about,
but overall it was a hard fought series. There's nothing
else much to say about it. It felt like a
playoff atmosphere. Road Runners one hundred percent put in the
work both games, just couldn't come out with that series
split victory losing an overtime on Sunday, But you know,
(01:19):
it was it was a fun series overall, and proud
of the boys as we always are, and we'll move
on and now we have a seven game stretch away
from home coming up.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Yeah, that's what I said.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
After the first series and the first series of the
year when they played Colorado, I was like, well, it
really felt like a playoff series in terms of a
there's a full, full stadium and a full arena and
they're allowed and it rose into it and two really
good teams obviously in the back and forth game, and
it felt like that that the exact same thing this
series again.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
So it's really interesting.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
And plus it was kind of weird in that the
Utah Hockey Club played Colorado on Friday and then they
had they had hard fought game on Friday, and then
ultimately Corlor pulled away at the end. But they had
that half ft series and then another half hockey on
Saturday and then even even really close game obviously it
was overtime game so on Sunday, so it was a
(02:08):
really really tight series, and really.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
For all the teams in the for both the top
two teams in the organization.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Yeah, a pretty successful month of December for the entire
affiliation as a whole, Roadrunners finishing the month six three,
one and zero, getting points in seven of the ten
games that they played in the month of December. Utah
Hockey Club part of me, my voice is still gone.
(02:37):
Part of me, James, there you go. I had to
get that one out of the way. Utah is on
a three game losing streak at this moment. They do
have their next upcoming game tonight, but before that, they
started getting the wins scrounged up together. They started getting
on a good run. They just need to get back
into that phase. But yeah, both teams are starting to
play really good hockey, and the Roadrunners should be happy
(03:00):
with the month that they have. You know, despite the loss,
they're eleven to four, one and zero in their last
sixteen games now, so you know, twelve of the sixteen
games they have points in.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
So yeah, it was a good month overall.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
But you know, with the series being said of how
it went, Colorado took Tucson's best players off the board.
I mean, you know, we saw Kylie Yamamoto, Cameron Heebig
and Austin Biganski. That line that's been working so well
together that we'll get into in just a moment, But
Colorado took our best players off the board. Igor Sokolov
no points in the series, Josh Stone no points, Andra
(03:38):
Gazino no points.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
You know that that's your top line.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
The Juggernaut line no points in the series as well,
which was huge in the Abbotsford frame, and then the
line of Lipken, McCartney and Rattu was also held off.
So you know, you gotta give credit where credit's due,
and Colorado did a really good job at taking two sons,
you know, some of their best players out of the game,
or really just taking the lines out of the frame.
(04:03):
Blion set. We're really all working together going into this series.
But it was the line of Yamamoto, hebig and Biganski
the only line that really gave us points and the
scoring in the series, and they did everything they can
to keep us in every game. You know, we're with
a one within one in Game one on Saturday, lost
three to one, got that big game time goal from
(04:25):
Asta Biganski on Sunday, Josh Stone was so close to
evening up the series with that pipe ring and then
Colorado took it back the other way and scored. So yeah,
you gotta give credit credits to Colorado did a really
good job at you know, taking us off the play
and Colorado going into this series best in the h
O and goals against at two point six to zero.
(04:45):
So it's not only their goaltending. They play really good
structured defense and they were just the same last year.
But I think the scary part about Colorado is now
that they have scoring.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
You have TJ.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Tynan who's been one of the best American Hockey League
players for years to come, and I think that's why
they're they're a scary team. We talked about in the
off season that you know, maybe the road Runs and
Eagles will be competing for first spot eventually. Obviously road
Runs at fifth place right now, but still in a
good spot in the Pacific Division because it's so close
as it always is. But yeah, it's definitely a playoff
(05:17):
preview between two really good defensive teams.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Of the Roadrunners in the Eagles.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, they're only Roads thinks that great run they've had,
they if only even though they got swept over that swept,
but you know, they got Sandy's point on Sunday. Even
though we lost to those first two games, those two
last two games there, they are only a couple points
or three points back of second place San Jose, so
they're right in the thick of it. And although if
(05:44):
you look at the other way around, there only five
points ahead of eighth place on Bakersfield.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
So it's just such a tight division. Again, we keep.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Talking about that over and over and over again, but yeah,
it's just such a tight division that if you have
a weekend like that where you only get one point
out of the possible four, then you're gonna drop down.
But at the same time, they had such a stretch
of you know, the six same winstry really volted them
back up the standing. So it's just just a wild division.
And you know, this is where we're at after the
(06:11):
end of the calendar year, so we're kind of looking
at that. And this is the kay of that first
mouse and I talked about last or I see the
last week, but I guess was last week where they
picked the HL was tweeting out the who was going
to represent each division at the All Star Game. So
it's that kind of first mini mile zone to me
at least where grownerners to enter the new year at
(06:33):
fifth place, but only you know it, eight points back
of first place Calgary, who's been ahead not just in
the standings but in terms of games played for so long.
So and then a couple of points back of second
place San A. So they're right to think of it
again as always. So should be another interesting calendar year
for the Runners coming up in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, and it starts off with a very road heavy schedule.
Uh seven game I don't want to call it a
road trip because we're technically not on the road the
entire time. We come back for one day for an
off day in between this trip, so I'm not saying
it's a road trip, but you know, it's a seven
game stretch away from the Tucson Arena. We start this
(07:15):
weekend against the Texas Stars, who have the same rec
exact same record and us up to this point. And
also they swept us, you know, to spoil our home
opener back in October, so there's gonna be some blood
there for the road Runners. We come back home for
a day after that trip, then we bust on over
to Coachella Valley for the first time at Akerscher Arena.
(07:35):
You know how great those games have been for Tucson
in the recent run. Then we bust over to San
Diego for a two games slay two. Son has been
very successful against San Diego this year as well, and
then go back to Calgary. That's gonna be the the
last games of the seven seven game stretch, five game
road trip, if we want to call it at that point.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
So that's gonna be the biggest tough series. I think.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
You know, it's not an easy road trip at all.
It's not an easy seven game stretch coming up for two,
so I mean, you know, you're wouldn't say easiest, but
your most favorable opponents are the San Diego Goals. But
you have the Texas Stars playoff team in the Central
Division Coachella Valley. They're just stingy as they always are
San Diego struggling, but you know they're still a competitive
(08:18):
hockey team. And then you have the Calgary Wranglers, which
the road runs got swept early on early in the
month of December when when we got things started before
the six game winning streak Runvers got swept there too,
so it's not an easy schedule for twoson by any means.
It's our longest stretch from home this season. Rubbers Den
will come back for a six game homestand right after that,
(08:42):
but for the time being, have to be content.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
We gotta get some road wins together.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
You talk to see popin after the game and he's
looking forward to getting our record a little bit better
on the road, and it starts off with a good
series in Texas.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Yeah, it's such a gap in between games. Like you said,
it's not like the the Gym Shore road trip where
they where they're gone for or they changed the last
couple of years because they had the All Star Game
in between that they broke it up. But usually they'd
have like they go be abound for like two weeks
or something or two and a half weeks or something,
and they go and they have to pack for all
that time because they wouldn't be able to come back
because back in the in the in the TCC, they'd
(09:18):
be having you know, the the Gym Show on the floor.
But that's that's not the case this time. During that
they're old are gone, you know. The only teams that
the only the only action is going to be there
is gonna be hockey pretty much, you know, the the
U a plane. But so they when they come back,
so it's nice they get to come back, and it's
not a full road trip in terms of it's road trip.
They go to Texas and they come back. So that's
(09:38):
that's a big, big change you're talking about. But yeah,
that's a big gap between games. They're at home games
because you know, the last one they played was on Sunday,
and then their next home game will be January twentieth,
so it's gonna be a big gap. But they start
off with Texas, which is tough because Texas is always tough,
but there's gonna be extra motivation they had because of
how how tough that that that opening series was when
(10:01):
they got swept. But they played a lot both games
and it was just kind of the loss at the end,
kind of a flucish play the Steve really.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
I brought that up to Steve. He's like, yeah, that's
kind of one of those one of.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Those games where you you absolutely remember where they shoot
the ball, shoot the ball, shoot the buck off the post,
and they come back and they get a rush right
away and then the score so and then win the game.
So it's just one of those rough things that they're
gonna carry with them that every team will do that
pretty much, especially a protein, but I think it's really
gonna affect this team because they're such a you know,
(10:32):
the team that that that they're always they're really fighters,
you know, literally obviously a lot, but they're they're team
that maybe scoring them, they're gonna try and score right back,
and oft times they do. And if you if you
if you do something, you know, agonize them or something,
then they'll they'll they'll hit you in the mouth. You know,
they'll come back. So it's a team that's really really
determined like that. So I expect that, you know, you
(10:54):
shouldn't go into a road trip, like especially a long
road trip to Texas expecting the wins. But in this case,
I think you can expect them to play really well
because that's just that's just the nature of the team
to be the really fighters literally effectively.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Yeah, but don't forget James, last time we played in
Texas was last season opening series. We swept them, So
you know, man, maybe something happens again where we get
a reverse sweep on Texas and then start up the
new year with a couple of big wins.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
And yeah, James, you had a good point. Whenever we
played Coachella Valley.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
It seems like anytime you score on them, they find
a way to score it right back, and then maybe
they suddenly take a lead. And that's what happened when
we played them the first time. Took a two to
nothing lead and then they scored eight unanswered and one
game one of that series, you know, and then we
won Game two in overtime fashion, a very hard fought game.
So yeah, big stretch coming up for Tucson. Overall, really good.
(11:45):
December six, three, one and zero. Will take it. We'll
take that one big point.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
You know.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Unfortunately, you know, you give Colorado the four points in
the standings, and even if the Roadrunners were able to
finish that off in overtime, Colorado would have ended up
with more points in that two game series, which you know,
it's it's not about if you beat the team, it's
you know, how you sharing points. You know, at least
standings wise, you always want to beat a team, but
standings wise, you know, uh, you know, you can't be
(12:12):
trading points.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
And yeah, so San Jose thirty six points.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
They've been playing okay, but they've kind of stood still
a little bit, and that's given teams like Colorado and
Ontario to now all of a sudden, it be right
behind him. Colorado six to two, sorry, seven to own
one in their last ten games, one point behind San Jose,
Ontario's eight to one won their last ten games. They're
on a eight game point streak. They are thirty five
(12:39):
as well, right tied with Colorado, Tucson two points away,
right at the fifth place spot Coachelle Valley thirty three points.
So that big point was big for road the Roadrunners
because they gave him that fifth place. Then you have
the Apptsford Canucks at twenty nine. They've been h you know,
they gotta win in their recent outing, but all of
a sudden, Bakersfield is right there, right BEHIDH find them
(13:00):
uh for that last play spot. So I wouldn't say
the Roadrunners are going to be battling for a playoff spot,
but we're definitely going to be battling for home ice
advantage like we were last year. But when you're when
your team's like maybe the Abbotsford Canucks, I think it's
going to be between them and Bakersfield who are going
to be fighting for that last playoff positioning throughout the
(13:21):
rest of the season.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Yeah, it's just such an interesting playoff race they have
always in this division. And also kind of looking at schedule,
I'm mean, look at the standards. I noticed that Texas
has thirty three points, also same as to you Son,
So obviously it's different because they play in different division
in the Central Division, and it's it's much different. They
have seven teams and Pacific as ten. And then you know,
(13:44):
they don't travel as much. I mean, they're kind of
out in the island like that where they they don't
they travel.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
Way more than Chicago and Rockford and Milwaukee.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Those teams are really close together Iowa, they have to
travel more and they have to do that more, but
they don't obviously have as many road trips as have
as long road trips as they do in Pacific, and
they don't know as many teams, so they play each
other more often. So it's apples and oranges. But I
just thought that interesting to note that they're also have
thirty three points and they're over their second place in
their regison.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Yeah, and the funny thing about our you know, because
I sometimes look at you know, even though you get
points technically in overtime slash shoot out losses and it
doesn't count as a regulation loss, I still look as
if like, Okay, this is how many wins you have,
this is how many losses you have, And again this
is not look consount counting the points.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
I mean, if if you.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Want to count it, Calgary's twenty and ten, San Jose's
seventeen and twelve, Colorado's what eight, nine, ten, eleven, sixteen
and eleven, Ontario's seventeen and nine, and then tucsons sixteen
and twelve as well, and then the Coachella Valley Fibers
if you count all their overtime losses, they are fourteen
(14:53):
and what sixteen? Yeah, fourteen and sixteen, they technically have
a losing record if you want to count all that too.
So yeah it That's why the sharing of the points
is so important this division. I feel like a lot
of teams played for that point. I'm sure Colorado was
trying to do that, just be like, let's just get
that extra point on these guys. But when you consider that,
if you took out the you know, extra points for
(15:15):
the overtimes and stuff. I think this division would be
a lot more closer because then you would go straight
on the winning percentages.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Yeah, it's kind of it's funny.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
It's funny to note that that game on Sunday was
the road owners first overtime or shootout loss. So before
that and then then the newspaper we'd always put their
record as like sixteen and eleven because we didn't instead
of the extra zeros because you know, that's kind of
what the style thing we talked about this here. So
(15:45):
it's kind of funny that's that first change where going
now we're going to the full four for instead of
just doing two. So in case you're wondering, you know,
kind of maybe you forget or you don't look it up,
but it's just basically win, wins and loss obviously, and
then that's normal when they reached in other sports. And
then we're used in hockey with the third third line,
but in this one, there's four in this league. There's
(16:07):
an overtime loss is the first one, he is a
third one, you know, and then the fourth one is
the shootout loss. So that's a kind of interesting to
know the Road News this is their first blemish in
that side of the thing. It used to be just
you know, like sixteen you know, what was it, sixteen
eleven and zero and zero, But now sixteen one in zero,
(16:28):
so it's a it's all different.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Yeah, and the Roadruners even last year too, we didn't
have a lot of playoffs, I'm sorry, partying. We didn't
have a lot of overtime games or shootout games as
well because tucsona, you know, they played the full sixty
minutes and we are two and oh in overtime until
last night on Sunday, and Josh Stone was so so
close to making the Roadrunners three and zero in overtime.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
It would have been a huge win for two.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
So not just considering how much we how much we
fought in that series, and especially on Andy's game to
at least tie things up and get the point. There
was that weird review at the end too, and this
I finally got clarification of what happened, because it was
a whole thing. So game ended, Colorado scored just right
after Josh Jone clinked the pipe, and there was a review,
(17:18):
you know, and in the moment it's overtime, adrenaline's pumping
and you know, I just wasn't fully aware of maybe
what was happening, but I thought we were reviewing maybe
an offside potentially on Colorado. I don't know, maybe it
just happened so quick. I'm like, oh, maybe I missed something.
Dob read the reviewing the off side. Fans started leaving,
and it's a couple where we're like, oh, let's see
(17:40):
what's going on here. And then when the ref came
out and waved off the goal, I thought they were
waving off Colorado's goal and I'm like, oh, let's go
like overtime, we're still going. But then they said no
goal because we were actually reviewing Josh Jon's pipe ring
just to see, you know, maybe in case it hit
a different spot and it went in. I'm obviously in
(18:00):
that situation you have nothing to lose, but yeah, I
thought that maybe we're challenging the off side, actually challenging
the Josh Stone pipe ring.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
I star director of Hockey Apps Jake Wackman after the game,
and I'm now I'm like, well, next time, I got
to make sure to ask him live in person or alive.
On the moment, I just think I was just thinking like, oh,
this is a chance for the Roadrunners to uh, you know,
keep going alive in a in this overtime, that would
be great.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
But so that's what's actually happened.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Got a little confused on my end, but uh yeah,
it was definitely an interesting sequence at the end of
the game.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Well that's that's weird because I didn't know what was
going on either because I missed their goal because I
looked down after Dosher shot, because you know, it was
kind of he's a really he's a really exciting guy
to watch an overtime because when you have the extra
space and over time, you know, on extra extra room
on the ice, you could see him do his magic,
which he you can obviously do you see normal and
(18:54):
in regulation and you know, even when there's a power
player or something. But you know, it's just fun to
from to watch him. We has her space, so I
kind of I looked at on my phone. I looked
up and then they scored. And the way I found
out was I heard the color announcers like the score,
and then I stopped and I was.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
Like, oh, so that's game.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
And everyone started walking off and then started reviewing it,
and He's like they're viewing it and then you were
saying I heard you guys.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
You're like, they're viewing it.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
You know, it's such a weird that wei thing of
you guys on both sides.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
So then I was like really confused.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
I was like what and then and then when they
waved it off, I was like, when they made that shot,
I was like, oh, well, then that means it's a
no goal. But then then I didn't even know they
were talking about Josh shots. So that's interesting. That's kind
of really kind of out of it. That's funny.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Yeah, it was interesting, and it made me also think
like I wish the referees had like the the feed
into the building like in the NHL when they clearly
say like, oh, this team is challenging. You see in
the football too, but we don't have that in the
American Hockey League.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
And and I'm I'm like, man, I.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Wish we did because then I can know, like everyone
can know what was challenge because yeah, I don't know.
There was just that moment where I thought like, oh,
maybe he was off side, maybe he just didn't have
the puck folly, or he's over skated or something. I
don't know, but yeah, but it was Josh stones pipering
that we challenged at the end and even when even
fans thought they were saying no goal for Colorado too, Like,
(20:19):
there's just so many things that could have happened. It's
such a quick game, especially in overtime, but unfortunately that's
how things went, and the Roadrunners will be contempt with
the point. Let's get to our first interview of the day,
all with you and three of these guys. We have
Cameron he Big Montana and your Bucci and Steve Povin.
(20:40):
Let's start with our head coach, Steve pop n First.
You caught up with them right after Sunday Nights overtime loss.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
So well, I think we can take a lot from
that series. You know, obviously there was you know, the
the emotions were a little bit higher the night before.
I thought we did our best to keep our our motions, uh.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
You know in check.
Speaker 5 (21:04):
We we didn't beat ourselves tonight.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
That's what I liked about the game.
Speaker 5 (21:08):
I thought we beat ourselves up a little bit the
night before. I thought tonight, you know, second period, we
were starting to you know, gain some traction in our game.
We were you know, getting to our an identity that
we like to play at and you know, you could
see the opposition we're down a little bit, and I
thought we you know, we had some breakdowns in the
(21:32):
third period. I was happy to see our guys fighting
claude and you know, give us an opportunity to get
full points.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
What was this weekend like as an organization?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Because he did that battle against Colorado on Friday and
then you guys play a couple of games against.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
The Yeah, I mean, of course we you know, both
both teams wouldn't want to get you know, as many
points as we could. I think we had both teams
had an opportunity to do it. And you know, watched
the Calgary or Colorado and Utah play. I thought their
game was really strong. You don't be playing against some
(22:12):
superstars in the league that we're able to break free
and critical moments. But I thought their game was really strong.
And you know, I thought our game was better tonight.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
And that's what you're joking, or maybe we're not joking,
but he talked about all kind of saying that we
have the Christmas break coming up, and you know, with that,
because you guys are playing so well, did you think
that kind of did kind of hurt when to break
up better.
Speaker 5 (22:33):
Yeah, you know, maybe, you know, I think there's also
you know, the theory that when you come back from
the road and you know your first game's home, sometimes
there's a little bit of a letdown. It's just a
natural thing that kind of occurs. I mean, you know,
we try not to really pay any attention to those
and try to do what we can to secure points.
(22:55):
That's where you know, that's the business we're in. But
you know, look, I thought tonight we did what we
could to battle back, and even last night, you know,
our third period was strong and shows a lot of
character in our guys, in our leadership. There's there's no
quitting them, and we've got to be proud of that.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
And then looking back to the last time guys protect us,
it's a couple of games it looked like you played well,
but then he had the heart recommending. Was that something
some of the guys bring up the lecture as motivation
or do they kind of you don't need to do that.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
Well, of course it's motivation.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I think it's it.
Speaker 5 (23:29):
Happens pretty naturally at this point. You know, you hit
the crossbar and then they come down on the very
next rush and score.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
You know, it's.
Speaker 5 (23:37):
Obviously nobody wants to lose in that fashion. And I
think the guys, you know, they they care, they're committed,
they want to win, they want to do the best
they can. They're they're trying to improve their game and
improve our gume.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
And looking at this road trip, is it is it
kind of you know, in terms of games, it's as
long as the.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
Jimps road trips. But you the.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Week's time mean to you, so you can come back
and you know it's not like a full road to
break on for like two weeks.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
Yeah, yeah, you know, I think it's nice to leave
and then come back. You know, it's it's a good
opportunity to come home. You were able to see your
family at least that way or not, as you said,
just pinned into a two week you know, spend them
away from your your family and your your your environment.
So it'll be nice to come back and then head
(24:26):
back out.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
You know, you kind of.
Speaker 5 (24:29):
Refuel, retool and get right back at it.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Is it the place we're able to come back once
after just textas one or is he able to come
back twice after?
Speaker 5 (24:38):
I think it's just once, so well, come back once
and then you know, I have to look a little
bit deeper into the schedule, you know, try not to
get too far ahead of it. But you know, but yeah,
I know, we come back after this this first stint
over there, and we'll do come back and do what
we can to regenerate and get back after.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
And finally, guys, I have a lot of guys who
did do the Jumper road trip from last year. But yeah,
you have a lot of veterans, but they they're near
the roadrunners. Is it going to be kind of like
a nice to kind of like a review of like
the Jumper road trip.
Speaker 5 (25:13):
Yeah, you know what, there's a lot that that happens
on the road. There's a lot of bonding. You're there
for one particular reason and you have you know, a
singular focus and so you know, these types of road
trips we tend to enjoy and we usually do. We
we farewell usually on them. So we're you know, it's
I think it's it's going to be good for us.
And listen, we've had a good stretch here at home.
(25:36):
We've had you know, some success here and now it's
time to you know, we had to improve our road
record I think we're six and six, so it would
be nice to you know, continue to improve.
Speaker 6 (25:47):
Our road record.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Great interview with James and head coach Steve Popvin and
uh yeah, you know, it's a good point for Steve
that that your road road trip coming up for the
road Runners the two games in Texas, come back for
that one day, and that think's going to be important
for a lot of our vet guys with with families
here and uh, you know, just guys to unwind, maybe
unpack and then pack for the next trip because you know,
(26:13):
you go to San Diego and then Calgary right after,
so you're packing for two different trips. So it'll be
nice to come back for at least that one day.
And then uh yeah, Steve said too, we're six and
six on the road this season and we're looking forward
to improving that record.
Speaker 4 (26:28):
Yeah. It's because interesting because I looked it up.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
I was kind of expecting their road record to be
not as you know, as good, you know, because they're
playing Lobert at home. But then I looked at it,
I was like, oh, yeah, I forgot you know, forget
about the atmosph sweep and this other you have been
playing well lately on the road, so that improved the
record the six and six And it was a question
that when I when I talked to, I forget who
it was that at one of the players I talked
(26:52):
to about it and he was kind of like, yeah,
we played well on the road. But then Steve was like, yeah,
we want this is chance rust improve our road record,
you know, because you can look at it both ways
of being five hundred. But it's interesting that you know,
they were able to improve that road ragging get better
and better. And it's something that it's weird thing that
if you look at last year, they were like for
much of the season until the very end of the season,
(27:13):
they were better on the road that then at home.
Actually they were just such a good road team and
they went on that famous Gyms road trip and they
went out and they finished with their winning with uh,
you know, it was like six and two record or
something or I don't know it was when they went
on Jim Shai roadship. Because usually it's so hard they
always end up no matter how good a team they are.
I was looking looking at the stats last year at
(27:33):
the records, they usually end up losing puch of those
games and obviously most of those games on the road trip.
But last year they came up with winning record. So
I think that last year their road record was a
little bit weird, you know, a little focushing because they're
just you.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Know, you you're good.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
When you're a good team, you're gonna do well on
the road, But to do so around the road like that,
it's kind of weird to expect. But it looks like
they're getting to that point where they might be almost
as good as they were last year on the road,
at least last few games. So they I'm proving that
road record from the now's the five on it. We
could see you, well, what they'll what they'll get it
up to after this weekend or after this road trip.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Yeah, yeah, of course.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
And a lot of the of a lot of these
teams are actually in the Pacific Division. You know, it's
harder to play on the road. It's you know, you
go on these long trips, you go on long bus rides,
long plane flights. It's just a hard thing in general
to play on the road. Calgary is obviously the best
team on the road in the Pacific Division. Uh eight, Well,
actually no they are not. Actually they do have an
(28:32):
eight five one and oh record, which is still really good.
San Jose, who's second place in the division, there's seven
and seven on the road, Colorado's five to five one
and oh so two of their UH five wins are
against us on the road. Ontario has the best win
winning percentage wise on the road this season at eight
three to oh one, Tucson six and six, Coachell, Valley's
(28:53):
eight six one and oh Abbotsford seven to five oh one.
Bakersfield also has eight wins on the road, but they
played a lot of way games as well to start
off their calendar. Are just to end up twenty twenty four,
going to twenty five as well, eight five to two
and now and then San Diego and Henderson. We won't
mention their records, but there it's it's definitely a struggle
for them. But then home is a much different story
(29:15):
for a lot of these Pacific Division teams as well.
As you mentioned, we've been playing so good at home.
I mean ten five one in ozer, Colgary's twelve and four,
San Jose's ten and three, ten three oh one, Colorado's
eleven three zero two, Ontario's nine to five Coachella Valley's
six five zho to four. They have the most shootout
losses in the league, all of them coming at home.
(29:39):
Abbotsford seven and seven at home, and then Bakersfield Sports
six one and one, so actually with a losing record
at home for them, even though they've been starting to
play better as a recent So you know, it's just
how hockey is. You have your home crown behind you,
you know, you just play a lot better when you're
at home, and it shows in this entire Pacific Division.
But again it's a big test for the Roadrunners with
(30:00):
the next seven games away from the twoson Arena, you know,
for for a chance to again get more wins on
the road and improve our record and try to climb
up those standings, because if it's a bat trip for Tucson,
then you know, there's no margin for small error in
this no small margin for error in this division. Roadrunners
(30:20):
lost two games, they got one point, but then they
dropped from third to fifth, and if they didn't get
that one point, they would have been dropped from third
to six. So that's how intense this division is. You know,
you lose a couple of games in a row, you're
you're falling, you know, you have to keep up with
everybody else. And that's just how things are. And it's
another big test for Tucson coming up.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
Yeah, and it's also you know, we talked about how
the division has ten teams or just eight teams for
in the Atlantic and seven in the North and seven
in Central. But it's also the trips are longer, you know,
like in the Atlantic they go they have a bunch
of teams in like Pennsylvania like Hershey and looks Bury
and the High Valley or around each other. And also
in the Northeastern Hartford and Springfield, and you know, the
(31:06):
teams cluster together where you go on the buses and
it's a short trip. And you know in the North
there there's there's Syracuse and Utica over by each other,
and there's a couple of North Canadian teams in Toronto
and Laval. But that that's they're not that's not even
that far away compared to like you look at Calgary
and and Abagsford, so so so far away compared to
(31:31):
those northern, Northeastern or you know, Eastern Canadian teams. So
it's just it's just such such a totally different division
with with the travel, So it's it's it's that that's
the thing to think about too.
Speaker 4 (31:42):
Also we look at the road records, it's it's just
the Pacific.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
There's just kind of just such an island right there
with with such a different with someone's travel and being
so far being north and South as opposed to the
Eastern Conference split up with the Inline Division and the
and the sweit up a bit the Atlantic Division and
in the North Division.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
Yeah, it's it's all different division standings. You know, the
road Runners having the most teams in our division with ten,
this is why seven teams make it and that's why
it's ever so more competitive. And yeah, no small margin
foreir you lose a couple of games, you're dropping any
and again, you know, seven out of ten making the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (32:28):
It's not the hardest thing to make the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
But at the same time, there's so many competitive teams,
and you know, if Bakersfield's able to get on a run,
you might see a actually really solid team in this
division not make the playoffs. Last year was kind of
the playoff position was set by like the quarterway of
the season because you had San Diego, San Jose and
Henderson all struggling, and then I think it was just
(32:52):
the battle of the seeding, which is also really important,
of course, and that's really what the battle is. But
now this year, you know, you have a team like
San Jose who's now good, and you know, Bakersfield again
they always have their lead season runs. Again, we might
see a team that's a solid team maybe not make
(33:13):
the playoffs this year. It's very possible. So that's also
a thing that you know, all teams are looking out for.
They see Bakersfield climbing up, and they're like, we don't
want to deal with that. Let's just keep winning games.
We don't want to have to be in the seventh
place or eighth place, just looking outside or just barely
being in because it's a stressful time. It gets stressful
down to stretch, and that's what it was like for
(33:34):
Tucson at least, battling for the home the home icee advantage.
That was like, you know, our big victory for last season,
and it's most likely going to be like that again.
You know, currently in fifth place and we're we're enting
closer to the halfway point. And also the All Star
break coming up very soon with rosters being announced, very
soon as well.
Speaker 3 (33:54):
So definitely a lot of guys for us.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
Who could easily be announced for All Star are like
you go, socle Off Agazino, Kylie Yamamoto, who's been a
point per game player.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
Maybe Matthew Balolza.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
I don't know, you got into the All Star bid
last year, had a really good month of December, so uh, yeah,
exciting times coming up for the road Runners with a
big trip, uh and then All Star Break happening in
about a month.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
It's such a you know, it's fun to watch the
watch the division with the you know, there's ten teams
so it so it's different and seven teams make it.
Speaker 4 (34:28):
But it's also the think that the thing to think
about that is that.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
There it's such a league that has so many changes
that you don't know what's going on because there's you know,
there's guys moving up depending on what's going on with
the NHL team, and there's a lot of injuries obviously
in hockey. And then at the end of the year
you have guys that that come that moved to the
joined the team that were you know that they are
playing mostly in the NHL or maybe playing in juniors
(34:52):
or whatever. Like we saw last year with the road Runners,
and so there's really there's a few races to look
at in that. There's obviously the whoever wins division and
they get buy in the first round, and then there's
two through seven that make the playoffs, and then within
that it's like who who gets to host the playoff
game and the other petitioning and where where you're gonna
play in sc around a few advance. But it's such
a big thing to to finish in those top top
(35:14):
few slots after the after you know, getting the buy
in the first first place team because that first round
is all played at one site, so it's just a
huge advantage to be able to play all at home.
So it's just so many races to look forward to.
Even if Calgary continues to run away with the division
as they have been, although it's getting a little closer,
you know, it's six or five games between them and Sanos. Well,
(35:36):
even if they continued to run away with the division,
there's still still bunch of races to be untill we
had and then playoff races that we had in the
in the division.
Speaker 1 (35:44):
Yeah, I think what's more exciting too, you know, we
saw that nice six game winning streak for the road Runners,
and it was snapped this past weekend. But I've talked
with Kim Codoroba was about it too, that six game stretch.
It was great for us, but I don't think we
played our best game, you know. And we've talked to
a lot of guys and it always say, yeah, were
always hungry for more, We're always hungry to get better.
It was great hockey, but you know, you get again.
(36:04):
We always say you can get one percent better every day.
And I think there's still a lot more exciting things
to come for Tucson. As you know, it's still early
in the season. I mean again, we're we're nearing the
halfway point, but to think that we're only half near halfway,
we're not even there yet, and we have a whole
other second half to play now, even at the All
Star break. Yet there's still so much to still happen
(36:25):
for the Roadrunners. And one guy who's been super exciting
for Twucson as a recent is Kyler Yamamoto. He's the
one player on the team that has a over a
point per game right now, twenty one points in twenty
games with eight goals. He scored his eighth goal of
the season on Sunday. Had two goals over the weekend
eight goals, thirteen as sists for twenty one total points
(36:47):
and twenty games. He's on a four game point streak
right now with two goals and four assists for six
points in his last four games. Him and Paganski both
have a four game point streak as well. And that
line of him, Paganski and he Big that's really kind
of been put together and solidified.
Speaker 3 (37:05):
Theirs.
Speaker 1 (37:05):
We've seen all the lines kind of solidified together now,
but those three have been putting in a lot of
work for Tucson in this month of December. Yamamoto finishes
off with nine points in ten games with three goals
and six assists. Andre Gazino also with three goals and
six assists, but also Cameron Hebig getting eight points in
this month of December with two goals and six assists
(37:26):
as well. He had a nice point streak for himself
also at four games that was snapped, but then he
got a couple more points over this weekend set with
the Colorado Egos. It was snapped on the Saturday game,
but then he got an assist on Sundays, so he
Big has points in five of his last six games
(37:49):
and again in this month of December, finishing off with
eight points with two goals and six assists. And Cameron
Hebig's last thirteen total games, he has a eleven points
in thirteen of them, with the eleven points with four
goals and seven assists. And he's, honestly, James like he
could be having his best career yet statistically, and he
(38:11):
had his best year yet statistically last season with a
career high thirty two points and sixty one games played.
He has fourteen points in twenty three games played this season,
so he's near the halfway point of his points from
last year and he's played much less games, so we
might be seeing another career year for Cameron Hebig.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
Yeah, and it's nice to see him doing so well
because you know, he's one of those really good guys.
There's so many guys in the road RNs that are
nice guys and they get act in the community, but
he's he's really one of those definite leaders in terms
of that. I mean, it was funny last year he
won the the Roaderns nomination for a Man of the Year.
I don't remember what was called exactly. But I when
(38:51):
I interviewed him after practice when they because they announced
it during practice on who their nominees were, and I
guess he didn't tell me I'm Adrian or you or
whoever did the chance to tell yet, so as anyweing
and I mentioned that and it's like wait, He's like, wait,
who did?
Speaker 4 (39:05):
Because he's so humble, he's like, wait, who did? I
was like, uh, you he made?
Speaker 2 (39:08):
I was like, uh kind of, I was like, wait
did I because it was I was like, did the
thats around burst or something?
Speaker 4 (39:13):
But oh, wow, that's cool. You know, I didn't know that.
Speaker 2 (39:15):
You know, it's kinda so it's kind of cool. It's
kind of funny to see that, to see him get that.
But that's another positive about the about You know, it
was fun, you know a couple of years ago, or
you know, when Carconi was he led the league in
scoring and the year before that when he and Michelli
were getting so many goals, so many points to see
that one.
Speaker 4 (39:34):
But I think it's you know, it's just a little better.
Speaker 2 (39:36):
Right now when they're they're more they have more depth
in terms of stats where you have a weekend like
this where circle off or or don't are are getting
into many points where you have a weekend like this
where guys.
Speaker 4 (39:48):
Who are a little bit even not a little bit
lower in the in the points overall standings. I'm on
the team that they didn't get a lot of.
Speaker 2 (39:57):
They get a lot of you know, the did they
score a lot and they can help the team and
you know they have that depth is really important to
to do well.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Yeah, and you know Cameron Heebigs that guy who's just like,
you know, just so deserving and you know he works
hard every day and you know, talk to the Steve
Pavin about it and you know, I don't know what
to say when the guy's like more nonchalant and you know,
it's really focused on the game day. And I say,
he just keeps to himself, not as in a mean way,
but because he's just so focused.
Speaker 3 (40:27):
And you know, Patsy had a good play of that.
Speaker 1 (40:30):
He said, well, it's because he's he's so dialed in, right,
he's probably talking to himself so much in his head,
so he's not really keep he's keeping to himself.
Speaker 3 (40:38):
But there's a lot going on there.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
And yeah, Cameron Hebig's having a really good season so far,
and entering the year, I believe just about fifty seven
games away from the all time record of games played
for the road Runners, and now he's at twenty three,
so he's he's kind.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Of nearing that just a little bit.
Speaker 1 (41:01):
Twenty three games played this season, all potentially having a
career year so far as a Roadrunner. And again he's
as thirteen or part eleven points in his last thirteen
games with four goals and seven assists. James, you also
caught up with Cameron Hebag after the game on Sunday
to just talk about him in the series and just
(41:21):
by him and Yamamoto and Piganski have been able to
construct up here on their current line.
Speaker 6 (41:27):
Yeah, it was a hard, flat series, I think on
a penalty's out of special teams. But we got to
find a way to battle through that and find a
way we come out on top. I think we can
build off it. I think I think it's a lot
of learning from this weekend and we'll come out stronger
next weekend.
Speaker 2 (41:44):
And I remember back when you guys played our Colord,
it really felt like a kind of a playoff series
and are really really tense, and again it was like
this year is like that like on again. But you
did you guys have the feeling with fun the playoffs sears?
Speaker 6 (41:54):
I got, yeah, I think so. I think they play hard.
It's a lot of tight checking. They're on you quick,
so we can play that game too. We like we
were up to the challenge when it's when it's tight
checking like that and uh, when it's fast, so you know,
we got the team for it. And uh, I think
it's good. I think it's good to challenge ourselves and
uh and keep building off it.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
And how important was it to get a point after
you know, with the big road trip coming.
Speaker 1 (42:17):
Up like that?
Speaker 6 (42:19):
Yeah, sure, I think it's will take the point obviously
we would like to, but you know, we that's just
that's a game where I think we can come out
with and get too. So but yeah, going into the
road trip, I think, you know, we we our confidence
should be high and we should be we should be
ready to go.
Speaker 2 (42:39):
What do you think about the road trip because in
terms of games, it's like a gympster road trip, but
it's not you can come back and that the rinks
are being used. We were able to come back as home.
I mean, is it similar to the jimp road trip?
A long road trip like that or is it? Yeah?
Speaker 6 (42:54):
I think coming back home sleeping our own beds, we
can regroup here. And but I think we're a good
road team. Think we we uh gell well on the
road together, so it's no excuses for us. And uh,
I think it'll be nice to get on the road
and hopefully get some wins.
Speaker 2 (43:09):
Is it kind of Steve was kind of joking level
last week about it when you guys went on the
Christmas break after you guys were playing so well. Was
it kind of a shame to kind of get that
break because you guys went so far?
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Is it?
Speaker 2 (43:19):
Or is it you know, kind of just just kind
of how the schedule worked out.
Speaker 6 (43:23):
Yeah, Yeah, we were on a little bit of a
winning streak there, so I think that the break came
out of a I don't know, we could have kept winning,
but I think it's good to get rest and regroup
and see the families and Christmas is always nice. So
just it's good to get back at it and we'll
(43:43):
we'll look to put a new winning streak in together now.
Speaker 2 (43:46):
And you perceived well on the road chip and you
came back in that good series. What was behind that
for you?
Speaker 6 (43:50):
Again. Yeah, I think, guys, I think playing with Pogo
and Yamo, it's nice to play with them and lots
of lots of skill, lots of work at.
Speaker 3 (44:00):
And slippery and so it's been good.
Speaker 6 (44:02):
And hopefully we can keep building the chemistry and keep
working well together.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
And just keep her going.
Speaker 3 (44:12):
Yeah, we'll just h we'll keep her going, James.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
That's what the upcoming series is, uh or really upcoming
stretches going to look like for the Roadrunners. Also having
a really good night was Montana and Yobucci his first
multiple point game of the season with two assays. He's
he's kind of been that guy who's active, you know,
all the time as a as a defenseman, but you
just don't see the scoring as much from him no matter,
you know, he always plays great, but it kind of
(44:37):
felt good for him to get two points there as well.
And you also caught up with him after Sunday night's
game after his two point out.
Speaker 7 (44:46):
Yeah, it's not the outcome that we were looking for,
but yeah, I think the boys played hard tonight and
last night just bounces in garways and I was an important.
Speaker 2 (44:56):
To get a point to night after you with a
with a big road trip coming not like that.
Speaker 7 (44:59):
Yeah, you know we've we've we had the streak before
for Christmas there, and you know, we're just trying to
bring that same energy to these past two games. But
you know what, the boys came out and they played
played well like I think we all did it as
a group. So yeah, it's and this this next road.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
Trip is gonna be huge for us. And you had
an offense and that this game, you had a really
good game and the last few games, the defenseman had
been pointing a lot of points. What do you think
the is behind that?
Speaker 7 (45:26):
I think, yeah, just getting the pucks to the net.
We have really skilled forwards just getting the pucks in
their hands and and they're gonna they're gonna do what
they do.
Speaker 2 (45:33):
And then looking ahead to this road trip, I mean,
you got the Gyms road trip last week. Have you
got to take some look that was like and this
game is in terms of this road trip in terms
of games is the same length, but it's a little
different that you guys can come back and they'll make yourself.
It's not being used by like the circus or anything
like that. M what what are your thoughts on the
road chip? What do you think it's gonna be.
Speaker 7 (45:51):
Like, yeah, this thing, we take it like a couple
of games at a time, you know, make it like
a mini series like we've been doing, and I think
we just if we win the series, you.
Speaker 2 (45:58):
Know, we're went some close to where we want to
be anything. Guys, you're playing on the road because you
guys weren't playing as ball early on, but then last
few games you've been playing long got back up the
five in the road.
Speaker 7 (46:08):
Yeah, I think I think we play well anytime we
shot them off. So uh yeah, we're excited for it.
We're ready to go and give it our best.
Speaker 2 (46:16):
And then looking back to the last time I just
played Texas, it was a couple of heartbreaking losses. Do
you guys think about that or is it was it
so long ago to get it's not really focused on that.
Speaker 7 (46:24):
Yeah, we're not really focused on that. You know, we're
just trying to get back to our game. Uh, let's
bring a lot of energy and just play it, play
the way that we've been playing.
Speaker 3 (46:36):
All right, James.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
Great interviews as always with everybody, catching up with head
coach Dee potvin Ford, Cameron he Big, and defenseman Montana
Anya Bouccie.
Speaker 3 (46:48):
Great over all weekend.
Speaker 1 (46:49):
It was a hard fought series against two really good teams,
and uh, we'll keep our going.
Speaker 3 (46:53):
We'll move on. And now it's a big seven game
stretch coming up for us.
Speaker 2 (46:58):
Yes, another another chance for them to get back, get
another winning streak going, or continue that road running trick
they have going. So that's a nice opportunity for them.
And it's interesting that I talked about he big off
the ice, so what he's like. And Montana's another guy
who you know, he's a really, really nice guy. Can
It's funny when I met him.
Speaker 4 (47:17):
I met the the the galla or banquet or whatever
it's called at the end of the year last year, and.
Speaker 3 (47:25):
We called it, h what do we call it last
year because it was a gala this year?
Speaker 4 (47:29):
Yeah, GALLICAUS is a night and I think I think.
Speaker 3 (47:32):
Banquet, luncheon, luncheon.
Speaker 4 (47:33):
Or luncheon there go, yeah, luncheon. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (47:36):
I met him there because I was sitting I thought
I was gonna sit next to Brett, but Brett the editor,
but he was coming late, so I just kind of
grabbed a seat and then he ended up sitting next
to me.
Speaker 4 (47:45):
And he was really nice.
Speaker 2 (47:46):
He's really introducing and he's like, oh, you know, you know,
because he's really nice to talking to the fans and everything,
and that's how introduce.
Speaker 4 (47:52):
He's like, so, uh, he's dick older. I was like,
oh no, I'm I'm I'm with the newspaper. That's why here.
He's like, oh, okay, that was funny, but no, it's nice.
Speaker 2 (48:00):
To It's good for the team to see you see
the guys the two way of defenseman, the guys who
they signed, and they are two way defenseman going up
and scoring. I'm getting a lot of points, but it's
good to see him get involved, getting a couple of
pin points last night, and so I think it's gonna
be really helpful to the team.
Speaker 1 (48:19):
I'm still trying to Okay, I'm trying to see where
Cameron Hebig is exactly on the most games played by
a Roadrunner because he is in line to break it
this year.
Speaker 3 (48:30):
But I can't find the most games played all right,
here we go.
Speaker 1 (48:34):
Now got to go back to all time records because
I know I had the number, but I just want
to be as accurate as possible. Okay, So Dyson Mayo
played the most games as a Roadrunner at two hundred
and seventy nine. Cameron Hebig entering this year at two
hundred and twenty two games played, so he Big is
fifty seven games away from breaking that, so it's fifty
seven minus twenty three. He begets thirty four games away
(48:56):
from tying the all time record of games played by
a Roadrunner, then he'll need that game thirty five, So
just to milestone to watch out for. Definitely in the
second half of the season. All right, James, great show
us always, thanks to everyone for listening. Once again, Kim
Canorobas and I will be back on Tuesday night for
our pre recorded special episode. We did a walk in
(49:17):
special for Saturday's game. Since it's New Year's. Happy New
Year's everybody. Hope you enjoy your news, Eve have a
safe one. We'll see you on the Tucson Roadrunners Happy
Hour Show and we'll see you later on this week
in Texas.