Roadrunners Upend Stars in Tucson

Mar 16, 2024

TUCSON, Arizona – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, were handed a 4-1 loss in a weekend series opener by the Tucson Roadrunners on Saturday night at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

 

Milos Kelemen put the Roadrunners in front first at 13:55 when he snapped a wrist shot past Remi Poirier from the right wall. Then with 1:34 left in the opening frame, Mavrik Bourque tipped in a one-timer blasted in Matthew Villalta’s direction from the right point by Derrick Pouliot.

 

The second period saw Montana Onyebuchi score through traffic from the right point to make it 2-1 Roadrunners at 17:02. It marked the middle frame’s only goal as Tucson carried a one-goal lead into the second break.

 

In the third period, Nathan Smith shelfed a close, short side shot over Poirier’s shoulder to put the Roadrunners up 3-1 with 6:42 elapsed. Justin Kirkland confirmed an eventual 4-1 victory for Tucson by scoring an empty-net goal from the neutral zone with 1:15 remaining in regulation.

 

Earning the win in goal, Villalta improved to 25-14-3 on the season after making 25 saves on 26 shots. Poirier came down with the loss to fall to 15-13-3 after stopping 23 shots.

 

The Stars take on the Roadrunners one more time in a finale on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. CT before continuing the five-game road trip with three games in California.

 

Photo Credit: Tucson Roadrunners

 

Game Info	Shots	Goaltenders	3 Stars (Ubeo Business Services)
Boxscore	TEX: 26	W: Villalta (TUC)	1: Smith (TUC)
Photo	TUC: 27	L: Poirier (TEX)	2: Kelemen (TUC)
Video			3: Villalta (TUC)