November 13, 2025 • 33 mins
This week on Between the Benches, David Mooradian and Patrick Moore break down the Roadrunners’ upcoming matchup the Colorado Eagles who are in 1st place in the AHL. They are joined with the voice of the Colorado Eagles Kevin McGlue. 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 (00:04):
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches. You're
all access brief you love the week ahead. We'll look
at the Roadrunners upcoming opponents, get the inside story and
here directly from the voices and players that know them best,
with David Moradian and Patrick Laurd.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Hello and welcome to another edition of Between the Benches
and Tucson Roadrunners Podcast. David Meridian alongside Patrick Moore. We're
gonna speak to the voice of the Colorado Eagles later
in the show. Tucson, They're gonna get awful comfortable with Colorado. Patrick.
Two games on the road this weekend in the Rockies
and then same teams matching up here in the Desert.
So the landscapes are going to be drastically different, but
(00:44):
the players on the ice are going to be identical
for the next two weekends. It should make for a
great test for the Roadrunners, and we'll jump in there.
Colorado has been the standard, especially on the West coast
in the AHL right. They had the best record in
the Pacific Division last season. They're right there again this year.
So this is a team that is going to I
(01:06):
think expose maybe what the road Runners aren't doing well,
and certainly anything that they do a nice job against Colorado, Patrick,
that will be a very positive sign.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Yeah, David, it's gonna be a really interesting matchup. I
think it's gonna be the toughest test that the Roadrunners
have faced so far. I mean, you look at the
stats from all the players that we're gonna go into
a little bit more with Kevin in the next segment,
but it's just you know, the start they've had, three
of they've they've won three of the last four.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
TJ.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Tynan sixteen assists leads the league. So there's gonna be
some players. Obviously we're gonna talk to Kevin a little bit,
but it's just gonna be a really exciting series for
not only you know, two sound fans, which like, it's
gonna be a great matchup overall so far.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
And that's not a typeout right. Sixteen assists and they
haven't even played sixteen games yet this year, so you're like,
wait a minute, no, no, that can't be right. It is right.
Any the other interesting thing, Patrick, he hasn't scored this year,
so you're thinking, oh, this guy is a supreme talent
or Tynan sixteen is sist no goals, but and I'm
sure we're going to hear this later that I don't
think that that's an issue, right, I think that he
(02:09):
is just somebody that they lean on as a facilitator,
and frankly, every team in the league is probably jealous
that they have a player that is so selfless and
so willing to give up the puck and the road
Runners I think they should have some trepidation every time
that Tynan is in control, because he's such a great
creator and a visionary player, right that they are going
to have to be cautious when he gets involved, especially
(02:31):
in an opportune angle, because he can make things happen,
and that's really going to put the spotlight on this
Roadrunner defense. We've seen some different roster changes right with
those six players, not exactly sure who they will be,
but the bottom line is whoever does take the ice,
it's going to be a really tough test, as we've
mentioned with Colorado's offense, but also you know the defenders.
(02:53):
You think about Scott Pruinovitch, right, he's one of the
team's leaders and assists. When they maybe get on the
power player, they just try to get anything going, penetrating
the Colorado defense also a really big challenge. So pretty
much wherever you look, Patrick, it's going to be tough.
And like I said, any success the Roadrunners have, they're
going to have to earn it.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
They did have some success last weekend, especially that final
game against Coachella Valley. Now I don't believe you were
in the arena, Patrick, so I'll fill you in a
little bit. Dnel. Boot, that's the story, right, he was
exceptional and I said it on the broadcast. He was
the best player on the ice, especially Game two, even
Game one. He is really starting to jump out. I mean,
(03:31):
he makes himself clear. So what I'm looking forward to
seeing is Okay, that was Coachella Valley again, a good team,
a team that I have respect for, A young team, right,
and not a bad test at all. There's absolutely no
validity to saying that Boots Tatrick against Coachella Valley should
have water poort on it because of the opponent, right.
I think that they're a worthy opponent and scoring those
(03:52):
three goals was impressive. But having said that, if he
were to replicate or even have a similar performance against
a team like Colorado, that to me is on a
whole other level. And It'll be curious to see how
much he resembles the player from last weekend, because, like
I said, he was exceptional, and any casual fan maybe
they were going to their first road Runner game, it
would be impossible not to get in your car and
(04:14):
be awestruck really by the performance that Daniel had last weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Oh, Danill has just been playing great, I mean, and
the one thing I'm really excited for and actually just
really curious to see how he does against a Colorado team,
as you said, And no disrespect to Coachella Valley, but
obviously Coachella Valley and two and even Bakersfield are kind
of in that same mix. Colorado is first place or
lee Lea's away from other teams in the division. So
rookies like Danil and you know ownA lard, these are
(04:40):
gonna be good tests against a really good Colorado team
won the division last year. So David, I'm just kind
of curious what you think as well, Like, how do
you think Colorado is gonna try to make it very
uncomfortable for Daniel? You know, he's leading the team and
goals and points, so it's just it's gonna be interesting
to see how he favors against a league leading division
(05:02):
team in Colorado.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Well, very basic start. They're going to make the little
things hard, right, every basic thing, whether it's entering the zone,
sinking underneath, trying to get any advantage right, Colorado is
going to be conscious of that, and they're going to
make sure that every little thing, every little time the
Roadrunners have an advantage that they worked really hard to
create that. And that's really the key to a good team,
(05:26):
especially a good defensive team. They're going to protect their
goaltenders and likely going to force a lot of outside
shots that are very easy to save. The key for
the Roadrunners is going to be firing shots that actually
are on net, right, not air mailing. We don't want
to hear James say hi and wide because then there's
no return, there's no excuse me. Rebound opportunities. So the
best way, and I put it like this, right, rebounds
(05:48):
are like a shortcut. It's the easiest way to score
a goal. You can meticulously craft a beautiful pass or
whatever it may be, make a nice move in front,
create a breakaway. That's a good way to create a goal.
But the easiest way is just fire a shot on net,
make sure it's on net, not glove height, right, and
then try to get a rebound. And I think that
that will be the best chance of success for the
(06:10):
Roadrunners because rebounds are really a neutralizer, right, that's when
the game gets reduced down to a lot more luck.
So we'll see if that's what they can do. I
expect Colorado to force the Roadrunners to inopportune shots, and
then it's going to be how does Tucson address that
and can they get the puck on the net? Something
we know assistant coach Zach Scortini is likely urging. Maybe
(06:30):
at this very moment he's imploring the team to get
pucks on net. We know that that's something he's very
passionate about. But in this case it's highly relevant, right
because I'm expecting shots from the point, maybe you know,
bad angle shots or tough angle shots, whatever you want
to say that look, rebounds are going to be the
way the puck's gonna get past the red line.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
And that's how I believe two Soon's you know, the
way that they're going to be able to win these
games is getting lucky off these bad bounces because they
cannot be in the box like they've been the last
you know, pretty much start season. I think their penalty
was gonna say the last three years, I feel like, yeah,
I mean it's just I think they need something to
go on the go their way, and they're also on
(07:09):
the road.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
They're two winder one in the road.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I feel like they've played really well on the road,
even though they've lost Iowan overtime.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
It's I call them the cardiac kids.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
I feel like every time that they've been on the road,
they've been in every single game. They've come back from
so many two goal or three girl deficits this year,
even home on the road. So I'm really curious to
see if this is a good chance to get back
on the road, jell some some more chemistry through the roadrunners.
I just think it's gonna be a good chance for
Tucson to kind of get away from home and maybe
(07:38):
you know, get you know, still some point, maybe get
a sweep, finally get a sweep. They've they still have
not been able to sweep anyone this year, so I
think this will be the chance to do it.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
And it's against the Pacific Division leaders in Colorado, so
I think it'd be a perfect story.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Now, like I said, they're gonna have to earn it,
and let's just emphasize a little bit more how good
Colorado is playing. So you think about Abbot's heard, right,
that's a team that certainly is respected across the league.
Colorado they beat them, They just played last weekend. They
beat them four to one and then three to two
in a shootout. So the road Runners they're gonna have
to be on an Abbotsford type level to compete with
(08:13):
this team. Now, interestingly, Colorado did lose to my squad there,
coach Hola Valley six y five in a shootout, so
I think I'm you know, that makes me feel like
I know what I'm talking about because I was impressed
by them, and that's one of the lone losses here
for the Eagles this season. But like we said a
million times, right, this is a very impressive team that
the road Runners are gonna have to play on the
(08:33):
road first, and let's talk about that record. But they're
eleven two zho to one, so they've been bested twice
in regulation in the first sixty minutes at a fourteen games.
So that's that's a one in seven chance. So if
the road Runners are gonna be in that kind of territory.
They're gonna have to be exceptional. If you're gonna be
an outlier, you're gonna have to do something that makes
(08:56):
yourself an outlier. Right, If you're gonna be if you're
selling stock and you want to be in the top
whatever one divided by seven is, that would be in
the top fifteen percent maybe or top twenty percent. If
you're going to be in the top that top percentile,
you have to be pretty exceptional. And the road Runners
are trying to be in that persentile by by doing
something that only happens one every seven times, So they're
(09:17):
going to have to play exceptionally well.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
And you're absolutely right, Dade.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
I mean, it's it's kind of I've been telling you know,
our pr Parabash chase.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
You know, it's just been kind of a roller coaster,
up and down, up and down.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
They haven't been on a two game winning streak in
a long time, so it's just the need they need
to find a balance. I feel like this would be
a perfect series. But Calado, they've it's been smooth sailing.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
They're winners of four of their last five games, and
their only loss in that stretch was a shootout lost
your favorite team, the Coachella Valley Fybrid. So it's gonna
be nice and hopefully maybe this would be a weekend
where Colorado, you know, if they if they come in
a little bit too you know, kind of you know,
not respecting too soon in a way, who knows, maybe
two soon will catch them on their heels and and
(10:00):
pick up a couple points, maybe a sweep, who knows, David.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
And also they've had more success on the power play.
Now we know Colorado is a very staunch team defensively,
but against coach Hala Valley a very good penalty killed
by the way the Roadrunners, we're able to have some success.
So we'll see if they can keep that going. The
other thing that will be interesting to keep an eye
on Patrick is the lines right Danil Boot. It seems
like he's been the one that's being moved around now.
(10:24):
The impressive thing about Boot, and maybe he's not the
best example, is regardless of who he plays with, he produces,
and that's really the mark of a great player, and
I certainly would consider him to be a great player,
especially at the AHL level. That's not much of a
hot take. I mean a first round draft choice, twenty
year old player. But what about the other lines? Is
coach Popvin going to go with those younger lines where
(10:45):
every player is right around twenty one years old? You
think about Loots, you know, maybe Allard as well. Right,
are they going to be together or is it going
to be a little bit more like what we saw
in the beginning of the season. I would expect Peganski,
McCartney and he Big to be together because those three
seem to have terrific chemistry. And really, the road Runners
are not like some of these other teams that have
(11:06):
had a bunch of changes. They do have some new faces,
but overall, there are players on this team last year
the fans players on the team this year that fans
remember being on the squad last year, and those three
together I just mentioned, they certainly represent that. So I
would expect that to be the same. Who is Boot
going to be playing with? Probably with Agazino and Walker again,
but that isn't a guarantee. And then really, how is
(11:29):
coach poven going to use those other six players? And
will my man Ryan McGregor be in the squad? Kim
and I talked to Ryan earlier in the week we
had a really enjoyable conversation. You can go back and
listen to that. It was the Happy Hour Show. I
think it's the very beginning of the episode, so you
can listen to that immediately, that interview. But I think
Ryan McGregor Patrick deserves to play this weekend against Colorado,
(11:52):
not only because of the fact that he sent the
second game against Coachella Valley into overtime, which alone maybe
qualifies him forgetting and the roster, but also I think
he gives them a little bit of an edge, a
little bit of a spark out there. The players seemed
to rally around him. So I'm looking forward to hopefully
seeing Ryan McGregor this weekend. What are your thoughts on everything?
I kind of just laid out the last few minutes.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I think you hit it on the now perfectly. I mean,
he the games he has playing me tie the game
on Saturday night, you know, and even in the game
against Manitoba the last game.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
He's just he's always he's a little bee. He's a
little busy bee.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
Just he's running around the ice, he's hitting guys, he's
getting shots on net. He's just he's just he causes
havoc around the ice, and I think for the road
owners that's just kind of the identity of this team
of just you know there they.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Might not be this, you know, they're scrappy. There's very scrappy.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
They'll find ways and clawback from deficits and as I said,
on the road, they've done it so many times. David,
You've probably noticed this while doing the games with James.
It's just and I think that's just he's one of
those guys that is just the perfect you know, pitcher
to go to be based off of. So I think
he definitely should play hopefully both games, you know, if
(13:02):
he can. If he gets a chance on on Friday
night tomorrow essentially and he gets maybe a goal or
two and who knows, maybe be the game winner. I
think Popvin might start to call it to pick his number.
And he seems like the spark plug in the in
the lineup. I mean, the guys really it seems like
if you guys really.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
Round, you know, rally around him.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
So I will say, yeah, I agree, I agree.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
With it, I endorse, I indors Ryan McGregor. I'm partial
because I enjoyed the conversation that we had on Tuesday.
He was a lot of fun and also because I
was late Veteran's Day parade, getting down to the TCC
was a maze and plans fell through. He was very flexible,
so we're very appreciative of his time, and he also
(13:48):
gave us in addition to just talking with this, he
gave us a good interview, so just on that alone, Also,
he's playing well. Game time goal speaks for itself. I
hope to see him this weekend. I think he will
have an impact if given the opportuny. All right, so
it's gonna be the road Runners and the Eagles. Exciting
four games coming up, gonna be a great test for Tucson,
as we mentioned, and coming up next, we're gonna hear
(14:09):
all about the inner workings of this first place team.
Broadcaster Kevin mcglue is gonna take us underneath the hood
and tell us the keys to success so far for
Colorado and maybe, just maybe what Tucson can do to
get some points from the Eagles.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
It's time to go Between the Benches on road Runners Weekly.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
And welcome back to Between the Benches, a Tucson Roadrunners podcast,
now joined by Kevin mcglue, the voice of the Colorado Eagles,
and that's been a fun gig the past couple of years,
Colorado doing well, the best record last year in the
Pacific Division, and they're unfamiliar territory here to start the
twenty five to twenty six campaign. So Kevin will jump
right in. What has been the key to success for
(14:47):
Colorado both last year and this year? What have been
impressed with so far?
Speaker 5 (14:51):
You know, I think the biggest key to success for
this year's Eagles team has been their defensive play. They
don't give up many shots and part and part that
they don't give up many goals. So they won a
lot of games in that sort of three to one
style of hockey where they're giving up twenty one twenty
two shots against. You know, you look at statistically, they're
(15:13):
one of the best teams in the league in both
those categories and goals against and shots against. So really
it starts on the defensive side, and then specialty teams.
I mean, they're second in the league and both the
power play and the penalty kill. So you start to
mesh all those together. You mix in some really good
goaltending that they've received this year, and it's led to
a really hot start.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
Kevin, I wanted to ask you about TJ Tanan sixteen
assists in fourteen games. What has been his key to
success to start the year. I mean, he's he's had
a you know, a career of more, you know, over
thirty assists in a couple of years of his ANHL career.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
What has been the success of him so far to
start the year.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
He's just an excellent player. I mean, that's I wish
there was something that's that's a little bit more insightful
than that, but he's just an outstanding player. He can
distribute the puck, maybe as well or better than just
about anybody in the American Hockey League. He's been doing
this for a while. He's a veteran forward. He's a
two time MVP of the AHL's He's led the AHL
(16:13):
and assists four different times. You go back to the
year with the Ontario Rain when he had what eighty
four assists that season. I mean, he just has the
ability to put together those kinds of seasons. So he's
a pass first type of a playmaker. You know what,
You're going to see sixteen assists right now and no goals,
But that's fine, and that's that's what this coaching staff
(16:34):
is looking for is his playmaking ability. The way that
he can run a power play, He can make that
cross slot pass and find that scene that seemingly isn't
there and really set up other players to put the
park into the back of the net. So again, he's
just really smart, really savvy. And you know, there aren't
a lot of TJ. Tynans in the AHL. They just
(16:56):
aren't and and Colorado is really fortunate to have him.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
So speaking of tyn and right, sixteen assists, but those
passes have to be going somewhere, and you can make
a great pass and not be rewarded with an assist.
So who have been some of the players that have
been cashing in on his generosity?
Speaker 5 (17:11):
Sure, I think you look at Daniel Gushin. You know,
he's tied for the league league with nine goals this year.
Tristan Nielsen's right behind him with eight. Eagles captain Jason
Megnu has really started to heat up here as of late.
And Alex barre Boule is another guy that you know,
is coming off a twenty two goal season last year
with Laval, had a couple of great years in Syracuse.
(17:31):
We're in a two year stretch he put up over
sixty goals combined. So you know, everybody's kind of been
pulling on the rope. It hasn't been a case of,
you know, here's one guy that is doing the bulk
of your scoring. But certainly that line of Nielsen and
Tynan and Gushan has been dynamic. But it hasn't just
been the entire show for the Colorado Eagles. So they've
(17:54):
done a good job dispersing the puck and having guys
that have been able to finish and again the power play.
It's second and elite for a reason, and that is
because they're able to find those openings and to finish
off their chances.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
One of the things about the AHL is, yes, you
have the talent in the top end, and usually the
first line resembles hockey that you can see on the
next level. But then fans are also waiting for the
younger guys maybe playing on the third or the fourth
line that the team expects to be contributed, maybe not
just in the AHL, but also in the NHL. So
who are some of those younger prospects that you expect
(18:27):
to see a jump from the season.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
You look at a guy like Taylor mccar who just
got called up again for the second time to the Avalanche,
and that's a guy that I think is really earmarked
for success. He's a power forward, he's got a big frame,
he knows how to use his size and it has
a tremendous motor, plays with a lot of confidence. I
think that is certainly a really exciting prospect. Continuing with
(18:50):
the group of forwards Ivan Ivan, he already has forty
games plus in the NHL, came back down to the
American League in the back half of last season, started
this year with the Eagles. But certainly I think is
a guy that could easily be back in the NHL
here within the next few months and has a tremendous
skill set, but still very very young in his career.
(19:11):
I think a guy that it's been injured, hopefully we'll
be back here fairly soon. To keep a Prishchapov's another
guy who's had a little bit of a taste in
the NHL and has some really exciting upside. And then
you look back along the blue line. Alex Gagne. He's
a rookie out of the University of New Hampshire and
he's a guy that just impresses you. He's not a
guy that's going to go out there and put up
fifteen goals in a season from the blue line, but
(19:33):
he's a guy that is going to shut down a
lot of top lines that are out there and use
his big size. He plays alongside Keep Middleton, so you've
got a six foot six defender and a six foot
five blue liner back there on the same pairing. So,
you know, the very very effective He's really utilized Keith
Middleton to learn off of. You know, a guy that's
(19:54):
you know, made his own way to the NHL, has
that same frame, can teach him a lot of the
tricks of the trade. It's been around, and you know,
it has really been kind of a sponge of soaking
up the knowledge of what's been kind of thrown his
way from Keaton Middleton. So I think there are certainly
some really interesting prospects. And in net you know Isaac
Posh he's a twenty three ye old rookie out of
(20:15):
Saint Cloud State and right now he's tied for the
league lead and wins and shutouts, so he has a
one point eight nine goals against average that's third in
the league. I mean, he's he's just given this team
a chance to win every time he's been in net.
So there are some really good young prospects that are
mixed in with a really solid veteran corps that that
produces night in and night out.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
I was going to jump on on that.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
For the net Miners, obviously, Matthew Volta has been really
good to start the season with the road Runners. Isaac
Posh as well from Saint Claud's State is what have
you seen from Isai? Obviously this is his first year
with Colorado, you know, as a goldtener. So what have
you seen in his first nine games to start the season.
You know, he's seven to one on one.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
Yeah, you know what I mean, he's got good size.
And I think having a chance to with Trent Minor
to start the year up with the Avalanche, to see
a lot of action and to be thrown into a
lot of situations, to be thrown into situations where maybe
you're playing in a back to back, maybe you're on
the road like we saw earlier this year, and just
finding a way to again build that confidence. And I
(21:18):
think that goes across any position that you're going to play,
coming into this league as a rookie, you've got to
find your footing and you've got to find your confidence
along the way to know that you belong in the league,
to know that you can put together the source of
performances allow you to excel in this league and eventually
get yourself to the NHL. So I think for Isaac Posh,
(21:39):
he's just continuing to build upon what he is as
a netminder, and I think that he's a guy that's
really really intriguing. And you know, it's not always easy
as a goaltender to you know, get yourself up there
and stay, particularly when you're a third or a fourth
option based on a two man do that you already
(22:00):
have up top. But you know, if you go in
and you win games, you put up numbers, you're gonna
have the opportunity to make a case for yourself. And
I think that, you know, he's laying the foundation to
potentially go up and do that here at some point.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Okay, So I'm just gonna be honest, Kevin, and I
took some brief from some of my colleagues here at
the road Runners for admitting this out loud, but I
think that Colorado has big shoes to fill this week
because I enjoyed watching Coachella Valley last week. They came
to Southern Arizona, and the way I saw it, they're
the youngest team in the league and they play like it.
They pushed the pace. All they're trying to do the
(22:34):
entire game is force an odd man rush, and to me,
it made for really entertaining hockey. I was completely captivated
in both games, and I even said to our PR
director Chase, I was like, can we just play Coachella
Valley every game? Because I've really enjoyed and there were
some fights. I mean, it was it was very entertaining.
So Colorado, like I said, big shoes to fill. What
kind of play style should we be expecting? Is it
(22:56):
going to resemble Coachella Valley? Very fast quick aggress are
a little bit different, you know.
Speaker 5 (23:02):
I think first and foremost, they want to take care
of their own defensive zone, and I think that's what
Colorado wants to ensure. It makes life a lot easier,
It makes winning games a lot easier when you're holding
teams to you know, between twenty and twenty five shots.
You go back to last weekend, they faced Abatsford on
Friday night. They held them to eleven shots in that game,
and it becomes really really tough to win, particularly for
(23:24):
a team on the road, when you only finish with
eleven shots in the hockey game. So I think you're
going to see really good, solid play back in their
own zone for Colorado. But it's a team that loves
to move in transition, and you see guys pushing the
pace like a TJ. Tyant and a Jason magnet Tye Feliber.
(23:46):
These are guys that they like to flip the switch.
I mean Colorado on the penalty kill. They're time for
the league lead with three short handed goals this year,
So it gives you the sense that they're ready to
move in the other direction quickly and to try to
pounce on chances. So, you know, I think you have
a little bit of similarity there that you know, you
want to see if you can convert turnovers forced on
(24:08):
the defensive side into odd man rush opportunities up the ice.
I think you'll see a little bit more of that
carryover from what you saw last weekend against Coachella Valley.
And you know, for Colorado, I think you're going to
see just a lot of a really good defensive play
and you might not see a six to five game.
(24:30):
But that being said, in Colorado played in a six
to five game out in Coachello Valley about a week
and a half ago, so you don't necessarily know that
for sure, but you'll buy and large. It's a team
that tries to get out to an early lead and
they try to maybe build on that a little bit,
but at that point really try to keep you out
to the outside. So what shots you do get are
(24:50):
primarily from the perimeter. So I think for Colorado trying
to win a game three to one, that's just fine.
They're happy with it. That puts two points in the column.
That's what it takes.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
So I don't want to jump, scare you, or surprise
you here. But the Tucson Roadrunners kind of like committing penalties.
I don't know if you knew that, And especially they
enjoy a good fight, and we saw some fighting last weekend.
Now it was game two, it seemed like the two
teams Coachella Valley and the Roadrunners they were completely sick
of each other. And that really only took about four
periods of play. Now, these two teams, Colorado and Tucson.
(25:24):
We're talking about at least for the road Runners. I
don't know. I'm sure Colorado doesn't have a weekday series.
We're talking about four consecutive games between the two teams,
So I'm wondering. I think by the time we get
to hear in Southern Arizona next weekend, they may be
a little bit sick of each other. Will the Eagles
be up for a good fight? And do you think
the teams will be fed up with each other come
next Saturday?
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (25:44):
You know what I've always found that kind of interesting
is is sometimes the games that get a little bit surly.
It's strange. It's like the first time that two teams meet,
all of a sudden, it seems like there's already bad
blood between the two teams that's been festering for a while.
So sometimes it's a bit of the wild card. But yeah,
once you've faced the team four straight times, yeah, you're
(26:05):
sick of each other. And I wouldn't be surprised to that.
And you know, Keith Middleton as a big guy and
and and likes to throw the gloves down when when
you have to be in that situation, I think when
you look at at this Tucson team and just taking
a look at it this weekend and the set that's
coming in. There's a lot of familiar faces. I know that,
(26:26):
you know, guys like Boot are some really good new additions,
but there's a lot of returning players for this Tucson
team that maybe there's some old grudges, maybe there's some
old beefs that have have developed over the years. But
you know, I think that adds another dimension to it.
It's it's not like Coachella Valley where there's a whole
lot of new faces and a lot of young players
in there, maybe first or second year on that team,
(26:49):
and maybe that that hasn't had a chance to develop.
I think maybe there's a better opportunity between Colorado UH
and Tucson just because of the familiarity and the fact
you're gonna see each other eight times and four of
those are going to come in the span of one week.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Yeah, and we're going to find out pretty soon because
the two teams playing, maybe even by Saturday, there could
be some tension and then I think, like I said,
by the time they come to Southern Arizona, it may
come to a boiling point. But Kevin you're also going
to be coming to southern Arizona, So I'm curious. Now,
the Roadrunners have been in the AHL now for ten
consecutive seasons, and I think reading up on your background,
(27:23):
you have been with the Eagles for quite a while now,
so I'm sure you've made this trip a few times.
What do you like to see, what are the stops
you like to make in Tucson, and what's on your
agenda this next weekend.
Speaker 5 (27:33):
Yeah, it's an awesome city and I think everybody loves
going to Tucson. There's no question about that. The great weather,
great food down there, and it just seems like everything's
kind of walkable, whether you're staying by the Rinkert, you're
staying closer to go to the university. Downtown is awesome,
you know. I think there's just a lot of different
places that you can go. There's some good places to go,
(27:55):
and you have an off day and maybe you can
hang out for a little bit and head down to
that stretch of some great bars and restaurants are in
the area. But yeah, I just love the fact that
it's really really walkable, and obviously the weather is so
comfortable that you can tackle that walk when maybe in
some of the other stops we make, you don't want
to get out of an uber let alone and to
make a walk a couple miles.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Now, I don't know if you're talking about Manitoba or
any I don't want to attack anything anybody. You're not mentioning.
Speaker 5 (28:23):
Yeah, I'm not pointing one particularly because there's several and
we're probably in that that same boat.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
So Patrick, did you want to jump in there or
if not, look like you were about to comment on
the Tucson walkability maybe, I.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
Mean, yeah, it's someone who goes to the university areas
and I would say, Kevin hit it on the nail perfectly.
You know, just everything's so close together. I mean, you
could easily walk from my apartment to the convention Center
into the university.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
It's you really are absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
It's just you know, everything is walkable, and everything is
in such a really small radius of range. What is
the best food item you've had in Tucson, Kevin.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
Gosh, I mean, there's a lot of different places. I
think that that's one thing I've done, maybe more so
with Tucson than anywhere else, is just go to different
spots along the way. And try a lot of new
things that are down there. I had a cousin who
lived down there for several years and he was in
the sort of the food and beverage industry, so we
would kind of go out to some of his favorite places.
And you know, I'm not sure what the stretch would
(29:20):
be called, but down there, I believe it's the Congress Hotel.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Is that Yeah?
Speaker 5 (29:23):
Is that right? Yeah? Four or five great restaurants that
we've stopped right along there. So yeah, I mean that's
just a great, great place to go and hang out.
And you know, if you do get lucky enough to
have an off day or two and Tucson, you know,
it's a great way to spend a day in an evening.
So yeah, I try to try to go to some
different places, and sometimes we'll mix up where we're staying,
(29:44):
and you know, sometimes we'll stay a little closer to
the university and there's obviously a lot going on down there,
so I love going and walking through the campus as well.
It's a beautiful campus down there at the University of Arizona.
So yeah, if I can check all those little boxes,
that's what I try to when we're down there.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Yeah, and Patrick, and I don't mind hearing that both
of us. Are you have a students? We were probably
each impressed by the campus. I know I was when
I visited. It was a tiebreaker, you know, to put
it that way for choosing to come here. All right,
last question for me, Kevin and I always like to
ask this, regardless of who we're talking to. Can you
speak to the relationship between the Avalanche and the Eagles?
(30:22):
How connected are they? Is there a synergy there planning,
whether it be workouts, maybe development, even systems. Just what
do we have going on between the Avalanche and the Eagles.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
Yeah, it's a great relationship, especially given the proximity. You're
just down the highway and I twenty five about fifty
minutes between the two buildings. So if there's a last
minute call up, somebody's not feeling well at morning skate,
we can have a player down there really quickly. The
other thing that opens up is the management for the
Avalanche to quickly come up to our games and watch
(30:53):
their prospects develop. Maybe you have a conditioning stint so
like we had with Gabriel Landeskog last year, where were
you are able to put a guy up there? Haven't
played a couple of games. We had the same thing
with bo Byram a few years ago. So you know,
it just allows you to send someone on a conditioning
extent while they can still be in their own home,
in their own bed, and you're not putting them on
(31:14):
a plane and having a fly them halfway across the
country for that that conditioning extent. So that's been really good,
and I know, you know, our coaches have been just
so pleased with the way that this team was constructed
by the Avalanche front office, the depth that's been presented.
We still have some injuries, and as those start to
resolve themselves, there's gonna be some really tough decisions of
(31:36):
you know, who's going to stay and who might get
pushed to Utah with the Grizzlies, And any way you
slice it, there's gonna be really good players that might
wind up going to the EHL for a little bit. So,
you know, I think it's been a really good relationship,
and a big part of that is the proximity. You
see those guys up here all the time, the development coaches,
(31:57):
the front office, Chris McFarland, Joe Sack, Kevin McDonald. They
come up here very very frequently. And again, it's just
great to be able to keep an eye on your prospects.
And you know, it's it's a lot easier to believe
with your own two eyes than maybe what you're getting
in a scouting report or you know, trying to watch
on TV or maybe getting down there here and there
(32:17):
to a different locale. So, uh, it's it's been really
really productive.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
Yeah, it's what we were just talking about. Restaurants. You
can you can read the Yelp review all you want,
but when you go there and actually enjoy for yourself,
then you can really vouch for how much you would
recommend that restaurant. Maybe not a great analogy, but topical
with what we were just talking about, it really is.
Speaker 5 (32:37):
And again I think that sometimes there are things that
maybe aren't listed on a scouting report or a breakdown
of numbers of the analytics that come out of players
and their performances that you can see.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
With your watching person.
Speaker 5 (32:51):
Absolutely, and it might be something in the way that
the guy is able to skate, and maybe you didn't
realize that that, hey, this guy is a much better
skater than what we had acually been told or we
had thought of him coming in, or it's developed along
at a really pronounced clip. So you know, those are
things that forty five minute drive up the road kind
of affords you. So I think they've taken really good
(33:12):
advantage of that.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
Yeah, we want to thank Kevin so much for his time.
A reminder the road Runners and the Chicago excuse me,
the Colorado Eagles, not Shagot. We've been talking about Colorado
for the last eighteen minutes. Tucson in the Rockies this
weekend covera John Fox Sports fourteen fifty seven o'clock puck
drop Friday and Saturday, and then Colorado is going to
return the favor next weekend radio coverage same place, fourteen
(33:35):
fifty television coverage on HLTV on Flow Sports. It'll be
seven o'clock on Saturday, befour o'clock at the TCC next Sunday.
So the Eagles and the Roadrunners going to get some familiarity.
Kevin mcglue, thanks again for joining us on our podcast
here between the Benches, Tucson Roadrunners Podcast. Thanks so much.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
Hey, my pleasure. Looking forward to getting down to beautiful
Tucson here in about a week.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Yeah, we look forward to having you
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches. You're
all access brief you love the week ahead. We'll look
at the Roadrunners upcoming opponents, get the inside story and
here directly from the voices and players that know them best,
with David Moradian and Patrick Laurd.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Hello and welcome to another edition of Between the Benches
and Tucson Roadrunners Podcast. David Meridian alongside Patrick Moore. We're
gonna speak to the voice of the Colorado Eagles later
in the show. Tucson, They're gonna get awful comfortable with Colorado. Patrick.
Two games on the road this weekend in the Rockies
and then same teams matching up here in the Desert.
So the landscapes are going to be drastically different, but
(00:44):
the players on the ice are going to be identical
for the next two weekends. It should make for a
great test for the Roadrunners, and we'll jump in there.
Colorado has been the standard, especially on the West coast
in the AHL right. They had the best record in
the Pacific Division last season. They're right there again this year.
So this is a team that is going to I
(01:06):
think expose maybe what the road Runners aren't doing well,
and certainly anything that they do a nice job against Colorado, Patrick,
that will be a very positive sign.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Yeah, David, it's gonna be a really interesting matchup. I
think it's gonna be the toughest test that the Roadrunners
have faced so far. I mean, you look at the
stats from all the players that we're gonna go into
a little bit more with Kevin in the next segment,
but it's just you know, the start they've had, three
of they've they've won three of the last four.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
TJ.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Tynan sixteen assists leads the league. So there's gonna be
some players. Obviously we're gonna talk to Kevin a little bit,
but it's just gonna be a really exciting series for
not only you know, two sound fans, which like, it's
gonna be a great matchup overall so far.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
And that's not a typeout right. Sixteen assists and they
haven't even played sixteen games yet this year, so you're like,
wait a minute, no, no, that can't be right. It is right.
Any the other interesting thing, Patrick, he hasn't scored this year,
so you're thinking, oh, this guy is a supreme talent
or Tynan sixteen is sist no goals, but and I'm
sure we're going to hear this later that I don't
think that that's an issue, right, I think that he
(02:09):
is just somebody that they lean on as a facilitator,
and frankly, every team in the league is probably jealous
that they have a player that is so selfless and
so willing to give up the puck and the road
Runners I think they should have some trepidation every time
that Tynan is in control, because he's such a great
creator and a visionary player, right that they are going
to have to be cautious when he gets involved, especially
(02:31):
in an opportune angle, because he can make things happen,
and that's really going to put the spotlight on this
Roadrunner defense. We've seen some different roster changes right with
those six players, not exactly sure who they will be,
but the bottom line is whoever does take the ice,
it's going to be a really tough test, as we've
mentioned with Colorado's offense, but also you know the defenders.
(02:53):
You think about Scott Pruinovitch, right, he's one of the
team's leaders and assists. When they maybe get on the
power player, they just try to get anything going, penetrating
the Colorado defense also a really big challenge. So pretty
much wherever you look, Patrick, it's going to be tough.
And like I said, any success the Roadrunners have, they're
going to have to earn it.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
They did have some success last weekend, especially that final
game against Coachella Valley. Now I don't believe you were
in the arena, Patrick, so I'll fill you in a
little bit. Dnel. Boot, that's the story, right, he was
exceptional and I said it on the broadcast. He was
the best player on the ice, especially Game two, even
Game one. He is really starting to jump out. I mean,
(03:31):
he makes himself clear. So what I'm looking forward to
seeing is Okay, that was Coachella Valley again, a good team,
a team that I have respect for, A young team, right,
and not a bad test at all. There's absolutely no
validity to saying that Boots Tatrick against Coachella Valley should
have water poort on it because of the opponent, right.
I think that they're a worthy opponent and scoring those
(03:52):
three goals was impressive. But having said that, if he
were to replicate or even have a similar performance against
a team like Colorado, that to me is on a
whole other level. And It'll be curious to see how
much he resembles the player from last weekend, because, like
I said, he was exceptional, and any casual fan maybe
they were going to their first road Runner game, it
would be impossible not to get in your car and
(04:14):
be awestruck really by the performance that Daniel had last weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Oh, Danill has just been playing great, I mean, and
the one thing I'm really excited for and actually just
really curious to see how he does against a Colorado team,
as you said, And no disrespect to Coachella Valley, but
obviously Coachella Valley and two and even Bakersfield are kind
of in that same mix. Colorado is first place or
lee Lea's away from other teams in the division. So
rookies like Danil and you know ownA lard, these are
(04:40):
gonna be good tests against a really good Colorado team
won the division last year. So David, I'm just kind
of curious what you think as well, Like, how do
you think Colorado is gonna try to make it very
uncomfortable for Daniel? You know, he's leading the team and
goals and points, so it's just it's gonna be interesting
to see how he favors against a league leading division
(05:02):
team in Colorado.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Well, very basic start. They're going to make the little
things hard, right, every basic thing, whether it's entering the zone,
sinking underneath, trying to get any advantage right, Colorado is
going to be conscious of that, and they're going to
make sure that every little thing, every little time the
Roadrunners have an advantage that they worked really hard to
create that. And that's really the key to a good team,
(05:26):
especially a good defensive team. They're going to protect their
goaltenders and likely going to force a lot of outside
shots that are very easy to save. The key for
the Roadrunners is going to be firing shots that actually
are on net, right, not air mailing. We don't want
to hear James say hi and wide because then there's
no return, there's no excuse me. Rebound opportunities. So the
best way, and I put it like this, right, rebounds
(05:48):
are like a shortcut. It's the easiest way to score
a goal. You can meticulously craft a beautiful pass or
whatever it may be, make a nice move in front,
create a breakaway. That's a good way to create a goal.
But the easiest way is just fire a shot on net,
make sure it's on net, not glove height, right, and
then try to get a rebound. And I think that
that will be the best chance of success for the
(06:10):
Roadrunners because rebounds are really a neutralizer, right, that's when
the game gets reduced down to a lot more luck.
So we'll see if that's what they can do. I
expect Colorado to force the Roadrunners to inopportune shots, and
then it's going to be how does Tucson address that
and can they get the puck on the net? Something
we know assistant coach Zach Scortini is likely urging. Maybe
(06:30):
at this very moment he's imploring the team to get
pucks on net. We know that that's something he's very
passionate about. But in this case it's highly relevant, right
because I'm expecting shots from the point, maybe you know,
bad angle shots or tough angle shots, whatever you want
to say that look, rebounds are going to be the
way the puck's gonna get past the red line.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
And that's how I believe two Soon's you know, the
way that they're going to be able to win these
games is getting lucky off these bad bounces because they
cannot be in the box like they've been the last
you know, pretty much start season. I think their penalty
was gonna say the last three years, I feel like, yeah,
I mean it's just I think they need something to
go on the go their way, and they're also on
(07:09):
the road.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
They're two winder one in the road.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I feel like they've played really well on the road,
even though they've lost Iowan overtime.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
It's I call them the cardiac kids.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
I feel like every time that they've been on the road,
they've been in every single game. They've come back from
so many two goal or three girl deficits this year,
even home on the road. So I'm really curious to
see if this is a good chance to get back
on the road, jell some some more chemistry through the roadrunners.
I just think it's gonna be a good chance for
Tucson to kind of get away from home and maybe
(07:38):
you know, get you know, still some point, maybe get
a sweep, finally get a sweep. They've they still have
not been able to sweep anyone this year, so I
think this will be the chance to do it.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
And it's against the Pacific Division leaders in Colorado, so
I think it'd be a perfect story.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Now, like I said, they're gonna have to earn it,
and let's just emphasize a little bit more how good
Colorado is playing. So you think about Abbot's heard, right,
that's a team that certainly is respected across the league.
Colorado they beat them, They just played last weekend. They
beat them four to one and then three to two
in a shootout. So the road Runners they're gonna have
to be on an Abbotsford type level to compete with
(08:13):
this team. Now, interestingly, Colorado did lose to my squad there,
coach Hola Valley six y five in a shootout, so
I think I'm you know, that makes me feel like
I know what I'm talking about because I was impressed
by them, and that's one of the lone losses here
for the Eagles this season. But like we said a
million times, right, this is a very impressive team that
the road Runners are gonna have to play on the
(08:33):
road first, and let's talk about that record. But they're
eleven two zho to one, so they've been bested twice
in regulation in the first sixty minutes at a fourteen games.
So that's that's a one in seven chance. So if
the road Runners are gonna be in that kind of territory.
They're gonna have to be exceptional. If you're gonna be
an outlier, you're gonna have to do something that makes
(08:56):
yourself an outlier. Right, If you're gonna be if you're
selling stock and you want to be in the top
whatever one divided by seven is, that would be in
the top fifteen percent maybe or top twenty percent. If
you're going to be in the top that top percentile,
you have to be pretty exceptional. And the road Runners
are trying to be in that persentile by by doing
something that only happens one every seven times, So they're
(09:17):
going to have to play exceptionally well.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
And you're absolutely right, Dade.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
I mean, it's it's kind of I've been telling you know,
our pr Parabash chase.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
You know, it's just been kind of a roller coaster,
up and down, up and down.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
They haven't been on a two game winning streak in
a long time, so it's just the need they need
to find a balance. I feel like this would be
a perfect series. But Calado, they've it's been smooth sailing.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
They're winners of four of their last five games, and
their only loss in that stretch was a shootout lost
your favorite team, the Coachella Valley Fybrid. So it's gonna
be nice and hopefully maybe this would be a weekend
where Colorado, you know, if they if they come in
a little bit too you know, kind of you know,
not respecting too soon in a way, who knows, maybe
two soon will catch them on their heels and and
(10:00):
pick up a couple points, maybe a sweep, who knows, David.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
And also they've had more success on the power play.
Now we know Colorado is a very staunch team defensively,
but against coach Hala Valley a very good penalty killed
by the way the Roadrunners, we're able to have some success.
So we'll see if they can keep that going. The
other thing that will be interesting to keep an eye
on Patrick is the lines right Danil Boot. It seems
like he's been the one that's being moved around now.
(10:24):
The impressive thing about Boot, and maybe he's not the
best example, is regardless of who he plays with, he produces,
and that's really the mark of a great player, and
I certainly would consider him to be a great player,
especially at the AHL level. That's not much of a
hot take. I mean a first round draft choice, twenty
year old player. But what about the other lines? Is
coach Popvin going to go with those younger lines where
(10:45):
every player is right around twenty one years old? You
think about Loots, you know, maybe Allard as well. Right,
are they going to be together or is it going
to be a little bit more like what we saw
in the beginning of the season. I would expect Peganski,
McCartney and he Big to be together because those three
seem to have terrific chemistry. And really, the road Runners
are not like some of these other teams that have
(11:06):
had a bunch of changes. They do have some new faces,
but overall, there are players on this team last year
the fans players on the team this year that fans
remember being on the squad last year, and those three
together I just mentioned, they certainly represent that. So I
would expect that to be the same. Who is Boot
going to be playing with? Probably with Agazino and Walker again,
but that isn't a guarantee. And then really, how is
(11:29):
coach poven going to use those other six players? And
will my man Ryan McGregor be in the squad? Kim
and I talked to Ryan earlier in the week we
had a really enjoyable conversation. You can go back and
listen to that. It was the Happy Hour Show. I
think it's the very beginning of the episode, so you
can listen to that immediately, that interview. But I think
Ryan McGregor Patrick deserves to play this weekend against Colorado,
(11:52):
not only because of the fact that he sent the
second game against Coachella Valley into overtime, which alone maybe
qualifies him forgetting and the roster, but also I think
he gives them a little bit of an edge, a
little bit of a spark out there. The players seemed
to rally around him. So I'm looking forward to hopefully
seeing Ryan McGregor this weekend. What are your thoughts on everything?
I kind of just laid out the last few minutes.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I think you hit it on the now perfectly. I mean,
he the games he has playing me tie the game
on Saturday night, you know, and even in the game
against Manitoba the last game.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
He's just he's always he's a little bee. He's a
little busy bee.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
Just he's running around the ice, he's hitting guys, he's
getting shots on net. He's just he's just he causes
havoc around the ice, and I think for the road
owners that's just kind of the identity of this team
of just you know there they.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Might not be this, you know, they're scrappy. There's very scrappy.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
They'll find ways and clawback from deficits and as I said,
on the road, they've done it so many times. David,
You've probably noticed this while doing the games with James.
It's just and I think that's just he's one of
those guys that is just the perfect you know, pitcher
to go to be based off of. So I think
he definitely should play hopefully both games, you know, if
(13:02):
he can. If he gets a chance on on Friday
night tomorrow essentially and he gets maybe a goal or
two and who knows, maybe be the game winner. I
think Popvin might start to call it to pick his number.
And he seems like the spark plug in the in
the lineup. I mean, the guys really it seems like
if you guys really.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
Round, you know, rally around him.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
So I will say, yeah, I agree, I agree.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
With it, I endorse, I indors Ryan McGregor. I'm partial
because I enjoyed the conversation that we had on Tuesday.
He was a lot of fun and also because I
was late Veteran's Day parade, getting down to the TCC
was a maze and plans fell through. He was very flexible,
so we're very appreciative of his time, and he also
(13:48):
gave us in addition to just talking with this, he
gave us a good interview, so just on that alone, Also,
he's playing well. Game time goal speaks for itself. I
hope to see him this weekend. I think he will
have an impact if given the opportuny. All right, so
it's gonna be the road Runners and the Eagles. Exciting
four games coming up, gonna be a great test for Tucson,
as we mentioned, and coming up next, we're gonna hear
(14:09):
all about the inner workings of this first place team.
Broadcaster Kevin mcglue is gonna take us underneath the hood
and tell us the keys to success so far for
Colorado and maybe, just maybe what Tucson can do to
get some points from the Eagles.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
It's time to go Between the Benches on road Runners Weekly.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
And welcome back to Between the Benches, a Tucson Roadrunners podcast,
now joined by Kevin mcglue, the voice of the Colorado Eagles,
and that's been a fun gig the past couple of years,
Colorado doing well, the best record last year in the
Pacific Division, and they're unfamiliar territory here to start the
twenty five to twenty six campaign. So Kevin will jump
right in. What has been the key to success for
(14:47):
Colorado both last year and this year? What have been
impressed with so far?
Speaker 5 (14:51):
You know, I think the biggest key to success for
this year's Eagles team has been their defensive play. They
don't give up many shots and part and part that
they don't give up many goals. So they won a
lot of games in that sort of three to one
style of hockey where they're giving up twenty one twenty
two shots against. You know, you look at statistically, they're
(15:13):
one of the best teams in the league in both
those categories and goals against and shots against. So really
it starts on the defensive side, and then specialty teams.
I mean, they're second in the league and both the
power play and the penalty kill. So you start to
mesh all those together. You mix in some really good
goaltending that they've received this year, and it's led to
a really hot start.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
Kevin, I wanted to ask you about TJ Tanan sixteen
assists in fourteen games. What has been his key to
success to start the year. I mean, he's he's had
a you know, a career of more, you know, over
thirty assists in a couple of years of his ANHL career.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
What has been the success of him so far to
start the year.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
He's just an excellent player. I mean, that's I wish
there was something that's that's a little bit more insightful
than that, but he's just an outstanding player. He can
distribute the puck, maybe as well or better than just
about anybody in the American Hockey League. He's been doing
this for a while. He's a veteran forward. He's a
two time MVP of the AHL's He's led the AHL
(16:13):
and assists four different times. You go back to the
year with the Ontario Rain when he had what eighty
four assists that season. I mean, he just has the
ability to put together those kinds of seasons. So he's
a pass first type of a playmaker. You know what,
You're going to see sixteen assists right now and no goals,
But that's fine, and that's that's what this coaching staff
(16:34):
is looking for is his playmaking ability. The way that
he can run a power play, He can make that
cross slot pass and find that scene that seemingly isn't
there and really set up other players to put the
park into the back of the net. So again, he's
just really smart, really savvy. And you know, there aren't
a lot of TJ. Tynans in the AHL. They just
(16:56):
aren't and and Colorado is really fortunate to have him.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
So speaking of tyn and right, sixteen assists, but those
passes have to be going somewhere, and you can make
a great pass and not be rewarded with an assist.
So who have been some of the players that have
been cashing in on his generosity?
Speaker 5 (17:11):
Sure, I think you look at Daniel Gushin. You know,
he's tied for the league league with nine goals this year.
Tristan Nielsen's right behind him with eight. Eagles captain Jason
Megnu has really started to heat up here as of late.
And Alex barre Boule is another guy that you know,
is coming off a twenty two goal season last year
with Laval, had a couple of great years in Syracuse.
(17:31):
We're in a two year stretch he put up over
sixty goals combined. So you know, everybody's kind of been
pulling on the rope. It hasn't been a case of,
you know, here's one guy that is doing the bulk
of your scoring. But certainly that line of Nielsen and
Tynan and Gushan has been dynamic. But it hasn't just
been the entire show for the Colorado Eagles. So they've
(17:54):
done a good job dispersing the puck and having guys
that have been able to finish and again the power play.
It's second and elite for a reason, and that is
because they're able to find those openings and to finish
off their chances.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
One of the things about the AHL is, yes, you
have the talent in the top end, and usually the
first line resembles hockey that you can see on the
next level. But then fans are also waiting for the
younger guys maybe playing on the third or the fourth
line that the team expects to be contributed, maybe not
just in the AHL, but also in the NHL. So
who are some of those younger prospects that you expect
(18:27):
to see a jump from the season.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
You look at a guy like Taylor mccar who just
got called up again for the second time to the Avalanche,
and that's a guy that I think is really earmarked
for success. He's a power forward, he's got a big frame,
he knows how to use his size and it has
a tremendous motor, plays with a lot of confidence. I
think that is certainly a really exciting prospect. Continuing with
(18:50):
the group of forwards Ivan Ivan, he already has forty
games plus in the NHL, came back down to the
American League in the back half of last season, started
this year with the Eagles. But certainly I think is
a guy that could easily be back in the NHL
here within the next few months and has a tremendous
skill set, but still very very young in his career.
(19:11):
I think a guy that it's been injured, hopefully we'll
be back here fairly soon. To keep a Prishchapov's another
guy who's had a little bit of a taste in
the NHL and has some really exciting upside. And then
you look back along the blue line. Alex Gagne. He's
a rookie out of the University of New Hampshire and
he's a guy that just impresses you. He's not a
guy that's going to go out there and put up
fifteen goals in a season from the blue line, but
(19:33):
he's a guy that is going to shut down a
lot of top lines that are out there and use
his big size. He plays alongside Keep Middleton, so you've
got a six foot six defender and a six foot
five blue liner back there on the same pairing. So,
you know, the very very effective He's really utilized Keith
Middleton to learn off of. You know, a guy that's
(19:54):
you know, made his own way to the NHL, has
that same frame, can teach him a lot of the
tricks of the trade. It's been around, and you know,
it has really been kind of a sponge of soaking
up the knowledge of what's been kind of thrown his
way from Keaton Middleton. So I think there are certainly
some really interesting prospects. And in net you know Isaac
Posh he's a twenty three ye old rookie out of
(20:15):
Saint Cloud State and right now he's tied for the
league lead and wins and shutouts, so he has a
one point eight nine goals against average that's third in
the league. I mean, he's he's just given this team
a chance to win every time he's been in net.
So there are some really good young prospects that are
mixed in with a really solid veteran corps that that
produces night in and night out.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
I was going to jump on on that.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
For the net Miners, obviously, Matthew Volta has been really
good to start the season with the road Runners. Isaac
Posh as well from Saint Claud's State is what have
you seen from Isai? Obviously this is his first year
with Colorado, you know, as a goldtener. So what have
you seen in his first nine games to start the season.
You know, he's seven to one on one.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
Yeah, you know what I mean, he's got good size.
And I think having a chance to with Trent Minor
to start the year up with the Avalanche, to see
a lot of action and to be thrown into a
lot of situations, to be thrown into situations where maybe
you're playing in a back to back, maybe you're on
the road like we saw earlier this year, and just
finding a way to again build that confidence. And I
(21:18):
think that goes across any position that you're going to play,
coming into this league as a rookie, you've got to
find your footing and you've got to find your confidence
along the way to know that you belong in the league,
to know that you can put together the source of
performances allow you to excel in this league and eventually
get yourself to the NHL. So I think for Isaac Posh,
(21:39):
he's just continuing to build upon what he is as
a netminder, and I think that he's a guy that's
really really intriguing. And you know, it's not always easy
as a goaltender to you know, get yourself up there
and stay, particularly when you're a third or a fourth
option based on a two man do that you already
(22:00):
have up top. But you know, if you go in
and you win games, you put up numbers, you're gonna
have the opportunity to make a case for yourself. And
I think that, you know, he's laying the foundation to
potentially go up and do that here at some point.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Okay, So I'm just gonna be honest, Kevin, and I
took some brief from some of my colleagues here at
the road Runners for admitting this out loud, but I
think that Colorado has big shoes to fill this week
because I enjoyed watching Coachella Valley last week. They came
to Southern Arizona, and the way I saw it, they're
the youngest team in the league and they play like it.
They pushed the pace. All they're trying to do the
(22:34):
entire game is force an odd man rush, and to me,
it made for really entertaining hockey. I was completely captivated
in both games, and I even said to our PR
director Chase, I was like, can we just play Coachella
Valley every game? Because I've really enjoyed and there were
some fights. I mean, it was it was very entertaining.
So Colorado, like I said, big shoes to fill. What
kind of play style should we be expecting? Is it
(22:56):
going to resemble Coachella Valley? Very fast quick aggress are
a little bit different, you know.
Speaker 5 (23:02):
I think first and foremost, they want to take care
of their own defensive zone, and I think that's what
Colorado wants to ensure. It makes life a lot easier,
It makes winning games a lot easier when you're holding
teams to you know, between twenty and twenty five shots.
You go back to last weekend, they faced Abatsford on
Friday night. They held them to eleven shots in that game,
and it becomes really really tough to win, particularly for
(23:24):
a team on the road, when you only finish with
eleven shots in the hockey game. So I think you're
going to see really good, solid play back in their
own zone for Colorado. But it's a team that loves
to move in transition, and you see guys pushing the
pace like a TJ. Tyant and a Jason magnet Tye Feliber.
(23:46):
These are guys that they like to flip the switch.
I mean Colorado on the penalty kill. They're time for
the league lead with three short handed goals this year,
So it gives you the sense that they're ready to
move in the other direction quickly and to try to
pounce on chances. So, you know, I think you have
a little bit of similarity there that you know, you
want to see if you can convert turnovers forced on
(24:08):
the defensive side into odd man rush opportunities up the ice.
I think you'll see a little bit more of that
carryover from what you saw last weekend against Coachella Valley.
And you know, for Colorado, I think you're going to
see just a lot of a really good defensive play
and you might not see a six to five game.
(24:30):
But that being said, in Colorado played in a six
to five game out in Coachello Valley about a week
and a half ago, so you don't necessarily know that
for sure, but you'll buy and large. It's a team
that tries to get out to an early lead and
they try to maybe build on that a little bit,
but at that point really try to keep you out
to the outside. So what shots you do get are
(24:50):
primarily from the perimeter. So I think for Colorado trying
to win a game three to one, that's just fine.
They're happy with it. That puts two points in the column.
That's what it takes.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
So I don't want to jump, scare you, or surprise
you here. But the Tucson Roadrunners kind of like committing penalties.
I don't know if you knew that, And especially they
enjoy a good fight, and we saw some fighting last weekend.
Now it was game two, it seemed like the two
teams Coachella Valley and the Roadrunners they were completely sick
of each other. And that really only took about four
periods of play. Now, these two teams, Colorado and Tucson.
(25:24):
We're talking about at least for the road Runners. I
don't know. I'm sure Colorado doesn't have a weekday series.
We're talking about four consecutive games between the two teams,
So I'm wondering. I think by the time we get
to hear in Southern Arizona next weekend, they may be
a little bit sick of each other. Will the Eagles
be up for a good fight? And do you think
the teams will be fed up with each other come
next Saturday?
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (25:44):
You know what I've always found that kind of interesting
is is sometimes the games that get a little bit surly.
It's strange. It's like the first time that two teams meet,
all of a sudden, it seems like there's already bad
blood between the two teams that's been festering for a while.
So sometimes it's a bit of the wild card. But yeah,
once you've faced the team four straight times, yeah, you're
(26:05):
sick of each other. And I wouldn't be surprised to that.
And you know, Keith Middleton as a big guy and
and and likes to throw the gloves down when when
you have to be in that situation, I think when
you look at at this Tucson team and just taking
a look at it this weekend and the set that's
coming in. There's a lot of familiar faces. I know that,
(26:26):
you know, guys like Boot are some really good new additions,
but there's a lot of returning players for this Tucson
team that maybe there's some old grudges, maybe there's some
old beefs that have have developed over the years. But
you know, I think that adds another dimension to it.
It's it's not like Coachella Valley where there's a whole
lot of new faces and a lot of young players
in there, maybe first or second year on that team,
(26:49):
and maybe that that hasn't had a chance to develop.
I think maybe there's a better opportunity between Colorado UH
and Tucson just because of the familiarity and the fact
you're gonna see each other eight times and four of
those are going to come in the span of one week.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Yeah, and we're going to find out pretty soon because
the two teams playing, maybe even by Saturday, there could
be some tension and then I think, like I said,
by the time they come to Southern Arizona, it may
come to a boiling point. But Kevin you're also going
to be coming to southern Arizona, So I'm curious. Now,
the Roadrunners have been in the AHL now for ten
consecutive seasons, and I think reading up on your background,
(27:23):
you have been with the Eagles for quite a while now,
so I'm sure you've made this trip a few times.
What do you like to see, what are the stops
you like to make in Tucson, and what's on your
agenda this next weekend.
Speaker 5 (27:33):
Yeah, it's an awesome city and I think everybody loves
going to Tucson. There's no question about that. The great weather,
great food down there, and it just seems like everything's
kind of walkable, whether you're staying by the Rinkert, you're
staying closer to go to the university. Downtown is awesome,
you know. I think there's just a lot of different
places that you can go. There's some good places to go,
(27:55):
and you have an off day and maybe you can
hang out for a little bit and head down to
that stretch of some great bars and restaurants are in
the area. But yeah, I just love the fact that
it's really really walkable, and obviously the weather is so
comfortable that you can tackle that walk when maybe in
some of the other stops we make, you don't want
to get out of an uber let alone and to
make a walk a couple miles.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Now, I don't know if you're talking about Manitoba or
any I don't want to attack anything anybody. You're not mentioning.
Speaker 5 (28:23):
Yeah, I'm not pointing one particularly because there's several and
we're probably in that that same boat.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
So Patrick, did you want to jump in there or
if not, look like you were about to comment on
the Tucson walkability maybe, I.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
Mean, yeah, it's someone who goes to the university areas
and I would say, Kevin hit it on the nail perfectly.
You know, just everything's so close together. I mean, you
could easily walk from my apartment to the convention Center
into the university.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
It's you really are absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
It's just you know, everything is walkable, and everything is
in such a really small radius of range. What is
the best food item you've had in Tucson, Kevin.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
Gosh, I mean, there's a lot of different places. I
think that that's one thing I've done, maybe more so
with Tucson than anywhere else, is just go to different
spots along the way. And try a lot of new
things that are down there. I had a cousin who
lived down there for several years and he was in
the sort of the food and beverage industry, so we
would kind of go out to some of his favorite places.
And you know, I'm not sure what the stretch would
(29:20):
be called, but down there, I believe it's the Congress Hotel.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Is that Yeah?
Speaker 5 (29:23):
Is that right? Yeah? Four or five great restaurants that
we've stopped right along there. So yeah, I mean that's
just a great, great place to go and hang out.
And you know, if you do get lucky enough to
have an off day or two and Tucson, you know,
it's a great way to spend a day in an evening.
So yeah, I try to try to go to some
different places, and sometimes we'll mix up where we're staying,
(29:44):
and you know, sometimes we'll stay a little closer to
the university and there's obviously a lot going on down there,
so I love going and walking through the campus as well.
It's a beautiful campus down there at the University of Arizona.
So yeah, if I can check all those little boxes,
that's what I try to when we're down there.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Yeah, and Patrick, and I don't mind hearing that both
of us. Are you have a students? We were probably
each impressed by the campus. I know I was when
I visited. It was a tiebreaker, you know, to put
it that way for choosing to come here. All right,
last question for me, Kevin and I always like to
ask this, regardless of who we're talking to. Can you
speak to the relationship between the Avalanche and the Eagles?
(30:22):
How connected are they? Is there a synergy there planning,
whether it be workouts, maybe development, even systems. Just what
do we have going on between the Avalanche and the Eagles.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
Yeah, it's a great relationship, especially given the proximity. You're
just down the highway and I twenty five about fifty
minutes between the two buildings. So if there's a last
minute call up, somebody's not feeling well at morning skate,
we can have a player down there really quickly. The
other thing that opens up is the management for the
Avalanche to quickly come up to our games and watch
(30:53):
their prospects develop. Maybe you have a conditioning stint so
like we had with Gabriel Landeskog last year, where were
you are able to put a guy up there? Haven't
played a couple of games. We had the same thing
with bo Byram a few years ago. So you know,
it just allows you to send someone on a conditioning
extent while they can still be in their own home,
in their own bed, and you're not putting them on
(31:14):
a plane and having a fly them halfway across the
country for that that conditioning extent. So that's been really good,
and I know, you know, our coaches have been just
so pleased with the way that this team was constructed
by the Avalanche front office, the depth that's been presented.
We still have some injuries, and as those start to
resolve themselves, there's gonna be some really tough decisions of
(31:36):
you know, who's going to stay and who might get
pushed to Utah with the Grizzlies, And any way you
slice it, there's gonna be really good players that might
wind up going to the EHL for a little bit. So,
you know, I think it's been a really good relationship,
and a big part of that is the proximity. You
see those guys up here all the time, the development coaches,
(31:57):
the front office, Chris McFarland, Joe Sack, Kevin McDonald. They
come up here very very frequently. And again, it's just
great to be able to keep an eye on your prospects.
And you know, it's it's a lot easier to believe
with your own two eyes than maybe what you're getting
in a scouting report or you know, trying to watch
on TV or maybe getting down there here and there
(32:17):
to a different locale. So, uh, it's it's been really
really productive.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
Yeah, it's what we were just talking about. Restaurants. You
can you can read the Yelp review all you want,
but when you go there and actually enjoy for yourself,
then you can really vouch for how much you would
recommend that restaurant. Maybe not a great analogy, but topical
with what we were just talking about, it really is.
Speaker 5 (32:37):
And again I think that sometimes there are things that
maybe aren't listed on a scouting report or a breakdown
of numbers of the analytics that come out of players
and their performances that you can see.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
With your watching person.
Speaker 5 (32:51):
Absolutely, and it might be something in the way that
the guy is able to skate, and maybe you didn't
realize that that, hey, this guy is a much better
skater than what we had acually been told or we
had thought of him coming in, or it's developed along
at a really pronounced clip. So you know, those are
things that forty five minute drive up the road kind
of affords you. So I think they've taken really good
(33:12):
advantage of that.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
Yeah, we want to thank Kevin so much for his time.
A reminder the road Runners and the Chicago excuse me,
the Colorado Eagles, not Shagot. We've been talking about Colorado
for the last eighteen minutes. Tucson in the Rockies this
weekend covera John Fox Sports fourteen fifty seven o'clock puck
drop Friday and Saturday, and then Colorado is going to
return the favor next weekend radio coverage same place, fourteen
(33:35):
fifty television coverage on HLTV on Flow Sports. It'll be
seven o'clock on Saturday, befour o'clock at the TCC next Sunday.
So the Eagles and the Roadrunners going to get some familiarity.
Kevin mcglue, thanks again for joining us on our podcast
here between the Benches, Tucson Roadrunners Podcast. Thanks so much.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
Hey, my pleasure. Looking forward to getting down to beautiful
Tucson here in about a week.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Yeah, we look forward to having you
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