October 23, 2025 • 16 mins
This week on Between the Benches, David Mooradian and Patrick Moore break down the Roadrunners’ upcoming matchup with expert insight and analysis. From key players to watch to the storylines shaping the series, they get you ready for puck drop.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches. You're
all access brief. You have the week ahead. We'll look
at the road runners upcoming opponents, get the inside story
and here directly from the voices and players that know
them best, with David Moradian and Patrick Lord.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Welcome back to another edition of Between the Benches. It's
just going to be between our Bench this Thursday, but
next Monday we'll have another guest because the Roadrunners are
going to be very busy this week and this weekend
against the Bakersfield Condors and then two games against the
Manitoba Moose on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. So
this is an exciting time for the Roadrunners. All of
(00:40):
those games being played at the TCC, so no reason
not to support and have some fun at the Tucson Arena.
And it was a fun opening weekend Patrick, I know
we were both there on the coverage too. Exciting games,
two overtime contests. I was just curious. I was generally
impressed with the team. I thought that there were a
lot of positives, but I'd like to hear your outlook
(01:02):
after the first weekend at home, the first kind of
in person look this season.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yeah, I think the Roadiners played very well. There was
a lot of positives. I think the main positive was
the rookies getting their first goals No Norrith, Danny Boots.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
And also for the opponent, Calgary, Matt Vey Gridin. He
is an exciting player, first round pick. I know it's
it's the Calgary Wranglers, but he scored his first and
second goal of his American Hockey League career in the
series as well, So it was kind of a coming
out party for quite a few of those highly talented prospects.
(01:37):
And the rookies.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah, it really was. I think it was. I think, honestly, David,
we should just call it the Rookie Weekend last week.
And yeah, how many accomplishments and milestones that were made
by both teams. Roy Kernes got his hind Kurt point
for the Wranglers, Yeah, the Rookies, and it's just yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, a lot of those milestones that were almost met
at the end of last season, you know, they had
accomplished there in the weekend. So it's kind of like
the overflow from the previous year. But now we look
ahead and another solid team coming to the TCC. This
time it's the Bakersfield Condors, And interestingly enough, the Roadrunners
and the Condors find themselves very closely related in the standings.
(02:19):
The Roadrunners are two to one and one Bakersfield is
just two and one, so very very similar point percentage there.
And it makes perfect sense because last season these two
teams were neck and neck for most of the way
and it took until the last weekend to decide which
of the two was going to go to the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Patrick, Yeah, it was a very crazy weekend that final
weekend of of the last campaign. Both teams had to
just win, and it took the final day and the
Roadrunners were able to just all they had to do
was just win and or get a point. Bakersfield did
get a win, however, they were just too little, too late,
as the road Runners punts that seventh and final Pacific
(02:56):
Division spot. I'm just curious, David, what you think about
this weekend's match for the for the two teams. What
are you expecting to see? Is it can be very
penalty heavy? What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 2 (03:08):
As I see it, it doesn't seem as if Baker's
Field is as penalized as the previous opponent in Calgary. Right,
Calgary was one of those teams that you're you're thinking, okay,
they're online with two soon at least from last season
in you know, their ten their tendency to commit penalties
and be in the penalty box, and that doesn't seem
to be the case necessarily with Bakersfield. I think the
(03:30):
biggest challenge will be how many games Connor Ingram starts
and winning those contests, right, Because if you look at
the landscape of the season for Bakersfield, they have a
five to four overtime victory, a high scoring game. Connor
Ingram didn't play that game. They had a seven seven
goal loss where they allowed seven goals against San Jose.
Conor Ingram didn't play that game. And then the one
that that doesn't make sense that the standout game when
(03:52):
you're looking, you know quickly at the box scores is
a two to one victory. You know it doesn't fit
in with the others. No surprise, Connor Ingram played in
that contest, right, So if Ingram gets a start or
even two, that will present a big challenge for the
Roadrunners and fans probably thinking okay, Connor Ingram, I think
I know who that is. But if you need a reminder,
the familiarity comes from all his time spent with the
(04:15):
big club with this organization. From twenty twenty two to
twenty twenty four, he had seventy seven starts for the
Arizona Coyotes, So there's some real credentials right there, and
then last year even twenty two starts for the Utah
Hockey Club now the Utah Mammoth. So he is an
established player obviously, spend a lot of time in the NHL,
(04:36):
just in the past few seasons, nearing one hundred games,
just one shy there at ninety nine. So he'll be
a tremendous test for a roadrunner offense that has generated
quite a few opportunities, and some of those younger players
now that are starting to contribute certainly unlocked a new
level for Tucson. But it'll be a really compelling matchup
when if there's that strong goaltending presence for Bakersfield matched
(04:58):
up with a high power to two offense.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Yeah, I think it's gonna be interesting to see how
the offense will generate. You know, the the power play
at home has not been able to convert. I believe
they're O for seven on their power play opportunities. But
I think this weekend, if the Road Nunners are able
to get some power play chances, they're going to be
able to find the net. Cameron he Big has got
(05:23):
a couple of power play goals, Sammy Walker, No.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
You're exactly right. Austin Paganski too. I think he's he's
on a nice point street. He's been very productive early
on in the season. Certainly not a surprise from the captain. Yeah, yeah,
there's there's quite a few guys there, Patrick, But you
were saying.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, I know. I was just saying, if they can
get a lot on Matt Tompkins, who has been the
main starter. He's started two of the three Bakersfield Connors
games he's won and one with the goals against the
five fifty five in the same percentage of a forty
three he's played in those games. As you said, con
Ringham played in the only you know, standout game where
they only gave up one goal, but the rest of
(05:59):
the games they've given up you know, five eleven and
two games. Yeah, eleven and two games. So it's gonna
be interesting to see if they go to Tompkins for
Game one or if they go to Ingram for game
one as kind of a you know, if can Ingram
plays against his you know, former organization in the Utah
Manmoth and obviously the two sounds.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, there's certainly an interesting storyline to follow there, and
another storyline we'll be keeping an eye on. We don't
exactly expected to materialize this weekend. But Cameron Heebig, he's
just five goals away from being number two all time
in Tucson Roadrunners history. He has sixty five goals as
a road Runner, So if he starts to just you know,
compile a few, then we start to have a very
(06:39):
serious conversation about him rising into the top two. So
that's something that we certainly want to keep an eye on.
And then Matthew Volalta. Again it's not going to materialize
this series, Patrick, but he's just three victory shy of
Ivan Prosveatov. That's again for the all time mark. Now,
it was very compelling last weekend because Valta got the
start on Saturday against pros Botov, and you know, the
(07:02):
Roadrunners were able to get that victory. So he's now
just three shy of tying pros Batav with fifty four
franchise victories Valta right now with fifty one, obviously, fifty
five would be the number to stand alone. And then
Ben McCartney, he just needs one more game to be
number five all time in franchise history and games played
that would be two hundred and twenty games. So that's
(07:24):
just a few things there. And Max Suber he had
a great weekend, obviously the key assist in overtime, another goal.
I think he had two goals throughout the weekend, So
very impressive weekend for Max. And he's just one assist
shy of fifty career HLSS. Its pretty impressive considering his age.
So there's quite a few things to keep an eye
on aside from just the bigger's field condors. I'm wondering
(07:45):
if there's any particular player for Tucson that you're looking
forward to watching this weekend.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I think it's Ben McCartney. I mean, he's one goal
away from his fiftieth career goal in the American Hockey
and also as a Tucson roadrunner. I think the rookies
Owen Hollard, Nolan Nordith, making Matka, Danny Boot and then
you got the two summer acquisitions Kevin Rooney and Sammy Walker,
who are pretty much leading in almost every offensive category
(08:12):
for the Roadrunners. I mean Sammy Walker has twenty one
shots in the four games they've played, which leads the
team in shots on goal.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Right.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
I think this team is very offensive. They're very exciting
to watch Offensively. They moved the park very well. I'm
curious to see how that will collaborate against the Bakersfield Condors.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
And you mentioned Kevin Rooney and Kevi and I sat
down with Kevin on Tuesday, and that was a really
enjoyable conversation, to be honest, and he's what he is,
just such a hockey guy, right everything when you talk
to him, you can just tell his mind it yearns
to be on the ice. I mean, that's that's clearly
his passion. He's one of those guys where if you said,
if you weren't, you know, playing hockey, what would you
be doing? And he's like, oh, you know, I'm a
(08:54):
hockey player. You know, that's that's kind of a foreign thought.
But we had a great conversation on Tuesday. You can
go back and listen if you'd like. But he's a
terrific presence for this team. I really think that he
could be a really key aspect of their success this season,
you know, if we're lucky to have him down here
for the entire year, which which may not be the
case because he's so talented, but anyway, I think he's
(09:16):
he does a great job getting more out of the
younger players, especially on his line, and his general production, Patrick,
I think is terrific, and they use him on the kill,
they use him on the man advantage. So I'm certainly
glad you mentioned Kevin Rooney because he deserves his flowers,
no question. And then Miko Matigua, another young player, another milestone, right,
he had his first AHL goal on Sunday, And you know,
(09:39):
he's another guy that can be dynamic down in that
fourth line, and I think he's kind of the catalyst
for that fourth line, right, If they're going to produce,
it's going to be because of Miko. And if they're quiet,
then perhaps he's having a quiet game.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
I just think, as you said, Kevin Rooney with the
production and they're using him all on the kill. But
I think the fourth line has really produced a lot
so far in the first four games, and I think
if they can keep that momentum going. I think it's
going to help them win a lot of these close,
tight games again, like you know, unfortunately they blew the lead,
they went in overtime, but they were able to get
(10:14):
some production, you know, and come back on Sunday. I
think it's going to help them, as I just said,
come back and win those tight games that will eventually
help them down the road when they need to get
the big wins in the March and April months, like
heading into the playoffs, which I know are way way
too far away from.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
So, yes, that is true. All right, So we've touched
on some roadrunners who have been terrific and certainly there's
quite a few players now with five points to start
the year, including Sammy Walker, Ben McCartney just to name
a few. Kevin Rooney also, you know, with the four points,
three goals, one assist. But anyway, now let's pivot to Bakersfield.
(10:54):
We mentioned Connor Ingram, we haven't exactly gotten into some
of their forwards and defensemen, so let's do just that. Patrick,
who are a few players to keep an eye on
from Bakersfield, not including Connor Ingram.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Well, the first one is their leading scorer and assist
in points and tied for in goals is Ren Pittlick.
He has two goals, four assists six points in their
first couple of games. You also have former Anaheim Duck
Max Jones, James Hamblin, and Luke pro Cop, with Hamlin
and Jones having two goals, one assists three points and
(11:29):
pro Cop with one goal to assist three points. Those
are the main guys who have been the studs the
first couple of games for Bakersfields. Some of them have
actually not even played full three games. I believe Hamblin
has played two, I believe, and Jones has played all three.
Jones has that veteran NHL experience. He played on the
Oilers last year. I believe he was on the Stanley
(11:51):
Cup run. He's also played with the Ducks. He's had
some HL experience with the San Diego goals. He's one
of those guys to watch out for. You also got
Ren Pillick, who has just been so far, so good.
I think those are the guys, David that are really
going to stand out that too. Someone really needs to
keep their eye on.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
And Pittlick, third round pick by the Predators, quite a
few years back now, but he is lacking NHL experience, right,
He's a very impressive player six points contributed this year,
but not a lot of NHL time. He's been predominantly
in the American Hockey League in his career, so you know,
(12:26):
that'll be interesting because it kind of reminds me of
he almost seems like the Austin Paganski there of Bakersfield, right.
He's a key player for them leading up, you know,
at the top of the points category and has a
lot of familiarity with the American Hockey League. So it'd
be interesting to see if they're on the ice at
the same time, and that's certainly a lot of HL
experience there. And then you mentioned Hamblin as well, and
(12:50):
he may be matched up, you know, against Kevin Rooney,
which would certainly be something to keep an eye on,
you know, the two of them both experienced play with
With Hamblin, he's really like mister Condor really. I mean,
he's been a Bakersfield Condor since twenty and twenty. He's
played over two hundred games with the team, and no
(13:11):
surprise to see him contributing earlier this season with two
goals and an assist in just three games.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Yeah, it's just you know, all the all the main
experienced guys that have a lot of you know, I mean,
as you said, two hundred games in the American Hockey
League since twenty twenty. I think that's just going to
help the Condors, who are also kind of at the
same level with the Roadrunners. You know, just's right there,
middle of the pack in the Pacific Division. It's a
crazy division. Aming can happen. So it's gonna be interesting
(13:38):
to see how the veterans from the Condors and the
veterans and the Roadrunners are going to clash this past
this coming weekend. And David, I just want to know,
how do you think score wise, prediction wise, do we
have a prediction yet?
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, we can can Yeah, we can certainly conclude with
making some predictions. I think that could be an interesting thing,
an interesting thing to keep an eye on. So I'll start,
I'll give you the competitive advantage to Patrick. Assuming that
we have kind of the premier goalie matchup on Friday,
which would be Ingram against Falalta, I would say I'm
gonna go road Runners three and Bakersfield two. And then
(14:17):
assuming neither of them play on Saturday. I would go
road Runners five, Bakersfield three.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
So I am.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
I think the road Runners are going to sweep this series.
I think it's been an encouraging start. They've played against
two top teams in their division. The two teams, though,
we expect to be solid, and they've come out, you know,
on the same level, if not a little bit above.
So I expect that to stay true this weekend. How
about you?
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Yeah, I think the first game is gonna be definitely
a close one, maybe see overtime. Obviously the Roadrunners have
both of their wins have come in the overtime session. Yeah,
I think finally get their first regulation win, which is
obviously would be great. That would make them three and one.
I believe they'll win four to one. I think they're
gonna like Ingram hasn't seen a real test yet, you know,
(15:04):
the Roadrunners will will be very neck in that game,
and I think if the Runners can get maybe a
power play goal, it'll make it kind of break the
game loose. And then I believe Jackson Stouber has only
played two games so far. I think he's gonna get
his first win on Saturday. Yeah, Yeah, Saturday, I think
they're gonna win two one. It's gonna I think it's
(15:25):
just gonna be a very close series. I don't I
think game one is the only one we'll see. Oh,
like the floodgates will be let open. I think Starber
has been playing great. I thought he played great on
Sunday against Calgary. He made some very good stocks, are
a couple of great breakaway stops. I just unfortunately they
weren't able to get the victory in overtime because I
feel like he's played very solid in his first two
(15:46):
games against.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
And he played well in overtime. I mean he got
the overtime period to stretch unto almost the end of it, right, Yeah,
and the overtime was pretty much dominated by Calgary. I
mean he faced tough tests there and survive for quite
a while until that great shot by see check across
ice pass.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
So what are you gonna do? Right?
Speaker 2 (16:06):
So you heard it here first, Patrick and I bull
bullish on the Roadrunners chances this weekend, and you can
see if we're right by simply going to the game.
Tickets available Tucson Roadrunners dot com seven o'clock buck drop
Friday and Saturday, which means will pregame coverage at six
forty five on Fox Sports fourteen fifty and hl TV
on Flow Sports. For Patrick Moore, I'm David Maridian. We
thank you so much for listening to Between the Benches,
(16:28):
a Tucson Roadrunners podcast. We will see you at the
TCC this weekend.
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches. You're
all access brief. You have the week ahead. We'll look
at the road runners upcoming opponents, get the inside story
and here directly from the voices and players that know
them best, with David Moradian and Patrick Lord.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Welcome back to another edition of Between the Benches. It's
just going to be between our Bench this Thursday, but
next Monday we'll have another guest because the Roadrunners are
going to be very busy this week and this weekend
against the Bakersfield Condors and then two games against the
Manitoba Moose on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. So
this is an exciting time for the Roadrunners. All of
(00:40):
those games being played at the TCC, so no reason
not to support and have some fun at the Tucson Arena.
And it was a fun opening weekend Patrick, I know
we were both there on the coverage too. Exciting games,
two overtime contests. I was just curious. I was generally
impressed with the team. I thought that there were a
lot of positives, but I'd like to hear your outlook
(01:02):
after the first weekend at home, the first kind of
in person look this season.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yeah, I think the Roadiners played very well. There was
a lot of positives. I think the main positive was
the rookies getting their first goals No Norrith, Danny Boots.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
And also for the opponent, Calgary, Matt Vey Gridin. He
is an exciting player, first round pick. I know it's
it's the Calgary Wranglers, but he scored his first and
second goal of his American Hockey League career in the
series as well, So it was kind of a coming
out party for quite a few of those highly talented prospects.
(01:37):
And the rookies.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah, it really was. I think it was. I think, honestly, David,
we should just call it the Rookie Weekend last week.
And yeah, how many accomplishments and milestones that were made
by both teams. Roy Kernes got his hind Kurt point
for the Wranglers, Yeah, the Rookies, and it's just yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, a lot of those milestones that were almost met
at the end of last season, you know, they had
accomplished there in the weekend. So it's kind of like
the overflow from the previous year. But now we look
ahead and another solid team coming to the TCC. This
time it's the Bakersfield Condors, And interestingly enough, the Roadrunners
and the Condors find themselves very closely related in the standings.
(02:19):
The Roadrunners are two to one and one Bakersfield is
just two and one, so very very similar point percentage there.
And it makes perfect sense because last season these two
teams were neck and neck for most of the way
and it took until the last weekend to decide which
of the two was going to go to the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Patrick, Yeah, it was a very crazy weekend that final
weekend of of the last campaign. Both teams had to
just win, and it took the final day and the
Roadrunners were able to just all they had to do
was just win and or get a point. Bakersfield did
get a win, however, they were just too little, too late,
as the road Runners punts that seventh and final Pacific
(02:56):
Division spot. I'm just curious, David, what you think about
this weekend's match for the for the two teams. What
are you expecting to see? Is it can be very
penalty heavy? What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 2 (03:08):
As I see it, it doesn't seem as if Baker's
Field is as penalized as the previous opponent in Calgary. Right,
Calgary was one of those teams that you're you're thinking, okay,
they're online with two soon at least from last season
in you know, their ten their tendency to commit penalties
and be in the penalty box, and that doesn't seem
to be the case necessarily with Bakersfield. I think the
(03:30):
biggest challenge will be how many games Connor Ingram starts
and winning those contests, right, Because if you look at
the landscape of the season for Bakersfield, they have a
five to four overtime victory, a high scoring game. Connor
Ingram didn't play that game. They had a seven seven
goal loss where they allowed seven goals against San Jose.
Conor Ingram didn't play that game. And then the one
that that doesn't make sense that the standout game when
(03:52):
you're looking, you know quickly at the box scores is
a two to one victory. You know it doesn't fit
in with the others. No surprise, Connor Ingram played in
that contest, right, So if Ingram gets a start or
even two, that will present a big challenge for the
Roadrunners and fans probably thinking okay, Connor Ingram, I think
I know who that is. But if you need a reminder,
the familiarity comes from all his time spent with the
(04:15):
big club with this organization. From twenty twenty two to
twenty twenty four, he had seventy seven starts for the
Arizona Coyotes, So there's some real credentials right there, and
then last year even twenty two starts for the Utah
Hockey Club now the Utah Mammoth. So he is an
established player obviously, spend a lot of time in the NHL,
(04:36):
just in the past few seasons, nearing one hundred games,
just one shy there at ninety nine. So he'll be
a tremendous test for a roadrunner offense that has generated
quite a few opportunities, and some of those younger players
now that are starting to contribute certainly unlocked a new
level for Tucson. But it'll be a really compelling matchup
when if there's that strong goaltending presence for Bakersfield matched
(04:58):
up with a high power to two offense.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Yeah, I think it's gonna be interesting to see how
the offense will generate. You know, the the power play
at home has not been able to convert. I believe
they're O for seven on their power play opportunities. But
I think this weekend, if the Road Nunners are able
to get some power play chances, they're going to be
able to find the net. Cameron he Big has got
(05:23):
a couple of power play goals, Sammy Walker, No.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
You're exactly right. Austin Paganski too. I think he's he's
on a nice point street. He's been very productive early
on in the season. Certainly not a surprise from the captain. Yeah, yeah,
there's there's quite a few guys there, Patrick, But you
were saying.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, I know. I was just saying, if they can
get a lot on Matt Tompkins, who has been the
main starter. He's started two of the three Bakersfield Connors
games he's won and one with the goals against the
five fifty five in the same percentage of a forty
three he's played in those games. As you said, con
Ringham played in the only you know, standout game where
they only gave up one goal, but the rest of
(05:59):
the games they've given up you know, five eleven and
two games. Yeah, eleven and two games. So it's gonna
be interesting to see if they go to Tompkins for
Game one or if they go to Ingram for game
one as kind of a you know, if can Ingram
plays against his you know, former organization in the Utah
Manmoth and obviously the two sounds.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, there's certainly an interesting storyline to follow there, and
another storyline we'll be keeping an eye on. We don't
exactly expected to materialize this weekend. But Cameron Heebig, he's
just five goals away from being number two all time
in Tucson Roadrunners history. He has sixty five goals as
a road Runner, So if he starts to just you know,
compile a few, then we start to have a very
(06:39):
serious conversation about him rising into the top two. So
that's something that we certainly want to keep an eye on.
And then Matthew Volalta. Again it's not going to materialize
this series, Patrick, but he's just three victory shy of
Ivan Prosveatov. That's again for the all time mark. Now,
it was very compelling last weekend because Valta got the
start on Saturday against pros Botov, and you know, the
(07:02):
Roadrunners were able to get that victory. So he's now
just three shy of tying pros Batav with fifty four
franchise victories Valta right now with fifty one, obviously, fifty
five would be the number to stand alone. And then
Ben McCartney, he just needs one more game to be
number five all time in franchise history and games played
that would be two hundred and twenty games. So that's
(07:24):
just a few things there. And Max Suber he had
a great weekend, obviously the key assist in overtime, another goal.
I think he had two goals throughout the weekend, So
very impressive weekend for Max. And he's just one assist
shy of fifty career HLSS. Its pretty impressive considering his age.
So there's quite a few things to keep an eye
on aside from just the bigger's field condors. I'm wondering
(07:45):
if there's any particular player for Tucson that you're looking
forward to watching this weekend.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I think it's Ben McCartney. I mean, he's one goal
away from his fiftieth career goal in the American Hockey
and also as a Tucson roadrunner. I think the rookies
Owen Hollard, Nolan Nordith, making Matka, Danny Boot and then
you got the two summer acquisitions Kevin Rooney and Sammy Walker,
who are pretty much leading in almost every offensive category
(08:12):
for the Roadrunners. I mean Sammy Walker has twenty one
shots in the four games they've played, which leads the
team in shots on goal.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Right.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
I think this team is very offensive. They're very exciting
to watch Offensively. They moved the park very well. I'm
curious to see how that will collaborate against the Bakersfield Condors.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
And you mentioned Kevin Rooney and Kevi and I sat
down with Kevin on Tuesday, and that was a really
enjoyable conversation, to be honest, and he's what he is,
just such a hockey guy, right everything when you talk
to him, you can just tell his mind it yearns
to be on the ice. I mean, that's that's clearly
his passion. He's one of those guys where if you said,
if you weren't, you know, playing hockey, what would you
be doing? And he's like, oh, you know, I'm a
(08:54):
hockey player. You know, that's that's kind of a foreign thought.
But we had a great conversation on Tuesday. You can
go back and listen if you'd like. But he's a
terrific presence for this team. I really think that he
could be a really key aspect of their success this season,
you know, if we're lucky to have him down here
for the entire year, which which may not be the
case because he's so talented, but anyway, I think he's
(09:16):
he does a great job getting more out of the
younger players, especially on his line, and his general production, Patrick,
I think is terrific, and they use him on the kill,
they use him on the man advantage. So I'm certainly
glad you mentioned Kevin Rooney because he deserves his flowers,
no question. And then Miko Matigua, another young player, another milestone, right,
he had his first AHL goal on Sunday, And you know,
(09:39):
he's another guy that can be dynamic down in that
fourth line, and I think he's kind of the catalyst
for that fourth line, right, If they're going to produce,
it's going to be because of Miko. And if they're quiet,
then perhaps he's having a quiet game.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
I just think, as you said, Kevin Rooney with the
production and they're using him all on the kill. But
I think the fourth line has really produced a lot
so far in the first four games, and I think
if they can keep that momentum going. I think it's
going to help them win a lot of these close,
tight games again, like you know, unfortunately they blew the lead,
they went in overtime, but they were able to get
(10:14):
some production, you know, and come back on Sunday. I
think it's going to help them, as I just said,
come back and win those tight games that will eventually
help them down the road when they need to get
the big wins in the March and April months, like
heading into the playoffs, which I know are way way
too far away from.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
So, yes, that is true. All right, So we've touched
on some roadrunners who have been terrific and certainly there's
quite a few players now with five points to start
the year, including Sammy Walker, Ben McCartney just to name
a few. Kevin Rooney also, you know, with the four points,
three goals, one assist. But anyway, now let's pivot to Bakersfield.
(10:54):
We mentioned Connor Ingram, we haven't exactly gotten into some
of their forwards and defensemen, so let's do just that. Patrick,
who are a few players to keep an eye on
from Bakersfield, not including Connor Ingram.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Well, the first one is their leading scorer and assist
in points and tied for in goals is Ren Pittlick.
He has two goals, four assists six points in their
first couple of games. You also have former Anaheim Duck
Max Jones, James Hamblin, and Luke pro Cop, with Hamlin
and Jones having two goals, one assists three points and
(11:29):
pro Cop with one goal to assist three points. Those
are the main guys who have been the studs the
first couple of games for Bakersfields. Some of them have
actually not even played full three games. I believe Hamblin
has played two, I believe, and Jones has played all three.
Jones has that veteran NHL experience. He played on the
Oilers last year. I believe he was on the Stanley
(11:51):
Cup run. He's also played with the Ducks. He's had
some HL experience with the San Diego goals. He's one
of those guys to watch out for. You also got
Ren Pillick, who has just been so far, so good.
I think those are the guys, David that are really
going to stand out that too. Someone really needs to
keep their eye on.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
And Pittlick, third round pick by the Predators, quite a
few years back now, but he is lacking NHL experience, right,
He's a very impressive player six points contributed this year,
but not a lot of NHL time. He's been predominantly
in the American Hockey League in his career, so you know,
(12:26):
that'll be interesting because it kind of reminds me of
he almost seems like the Austin Paganski there of Bakersfield, right.
He's a key player for them leading up, you know,
at the top of the points category and has a
lot of familiarity with the American Hockey League. So it'd
be interesting to see if they're on the ice at
the same time, and that's certainly a lot of HL
experience there. And then you mentioned Hamblin as well, and
(12:50):
he may be matched up, you know, against Kevin Rooney,
which would certainly be something to keep an eye on,
you know, the two of them both experienced play with
With Hamblin, he's really like mister Condor really. I mean,
he's been a Bakersfield Condor since twenty and twenty. He's
played over two hundred games with the team, and no
(13:11):
surprise to see him contributing earlier this season with two
goals and an assist in just three games.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Yeah, it's just you know, all the all the main
experienced guys that have a lot of you know, I mean,
as you said, two hundred games in the American Hockey
League since twenty twenty. I think that's just going to
help the Condors, who are also kind of at the
same level with the Roadrunners. You know, just's right there,
middle of the pack in the Pacific Division. It's a
crazy division. Aming can happen. So it's gonna be interesting
(13:38):
to see how the veterans from the Condors and the
veterans and the Roadrunners are going to clash this past
this coming weekend. And David, I just want to know,
how do you think score wise, prediction wise, do we
have a prediction yet?
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, we can can Yeah, we can certainly conclude with
making some predictions. I think that could be an interesting thing,
an interesting thing to keep an eye on. So I'll start,
I'll give you the competitive advantage to Patrick. Assuming that
we have kind of the premier goalie matchup on Friday,
which would be Ingram against Falalta, I would say I'm
gonna go road Runners three and Bakersfield two. And then
(14:17):
assuming neither of them play on Saturday. I would go
road Runners five, Bakersfield three.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
So I am.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
I think the road Runners are going to sweep this series.
I think it's been an encouraging start. They've played against
two top teams in their division. The two teams, though,
we expect to be solid, and they've come out, you know,
on the same level, if not a little bit above.
So I expect that to stay true this weekend. How
about you?
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Yeah, I think the first game is gonna be definitely
a close one, maybe see overtime. Obviously the Roadrunners have
both of their wins have come in the overtime session. Yeah,
I think finally get their first regulation win, which is
obviously would be great. That would make them three and one.
I believe they'll win four to one. I think they're
gonna like Ingram hasn't seen a real test yet, you know,
(15:04):
the Roadrunners will will be very neck in that game,
and I think if the Runners can get maybe a
power play goal, it'll make it kind of break the
game loose. And then I believe Jackson Stouber has only
played two games so far. I think he's gonna get
his first win on Saturday. Yeah, Yeah, Saturday, I think
they're gonna win two one. It's gonna I think it's
(15:25):
just gonna be a very close series. I don't I
think game one is the only one we'll see. Oh,
like the floodgates will be let open. I think Starber
has been playing great. I thought he played great on
Sunday against Calgary. He made some very good stocks, are
a couple of great breakaway stops. I just unfortunately they
weren't able to get the victory in overtime because I
feel like he's played very solid in his first two
(15:46):
games against.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
And he played well in overtime. I mean he got
the overtime period to stretch unto almost the end of it, right, Yeah,
and the overtime was pretty much dominated by Calgary. I
mean he faced tough tests there and survive for quite
a while until that great shot by see check across
ice pass.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
So what are you gonna do? Right?
Speaker 2 (16:06):
So you heard it here first, Patrick and I bull
bullish on the Roadrunners chances this weekend, and you can
see if we're right by simply going to the game.
Tickets available Tucson Roadrunners dot com seven o'clock buck drop
Friday and Saturday, which means will pregame coverage at six
forty five on Fox Sports fourteen fifty and hl TV
on Flow Sports. For Patrick Moore, I'm David Maridian. We
thank you so much for listening to Between the Benches,
(16:28):
a Tucson Roadrunners podcast. We will see you at the
TCC this weekend.
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