Tucson Roadunners Nathan Smith skates into the San Jose Barracuda zone during his team’s 5-1 win at Tucson Convention Center Arena on Friday DEC 1, 2023. (Tucson Roadrunners)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Tucson Roadrunners scored four goals in the first period as they blew out the San Jose Barracuda 5-1 on Friday evening at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four games and had its two-game winning streak on the road snapped. Tucson has won three out its last four games.

Tucson (11-6-1-1) drew first blood on a penalty shot in the second minute of the game. Ehtan Frisch crosschecked Josh Doan into the back of the net while Doan was on a breakaway. Referee Jim Curtin rewarded Tucson with a penalty shot Doan into the net backhand 1:34 mark.

Doan skated in and beat ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona with a backhander shot top shelf for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Doan scored his second goal while the Roadrunners had the man advantage just past the midway point of the opening frame. Dylan Guenther found Doan along the left slot and the native of Scottsdale, Ariz. sniped home a one-timer past Chrona for his ninth goal of the season at the 11:02 mark.

Tucson scored its third unanswered goal of the period thanks to the ‘Cuda not being able to clear the puck out its own zone. Jan Jenik slipped a pass over to Zach Sanford who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his first goal in a Roadrunners sweater at the 17:29 mark.

Travis Baron made it 4-0 with 1:01 remaining in a nightmare first period for the ‘Cuda. Baron beat Chrona with a wrist shot on the short side for his second goal of the season after receiving a pass from Aku Raty.

San Jose (5-9-4-0) played on its heels during that opening 20 minutes as they only had a season low three shots on goal in a period as they were outshot 15-3.

The Roadrunners scored it second power play goal early in the second period. Victor Soderstrom blasted a slap-shot from the point that beat a screened Chrona for his third goal of the season at the 5:07 mark.

The ‘Cuda spoiled Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta’s shutout bid early in the third period with a power play goal. Nathan Todd sent a rink-wide pass down to Ethan Cardwell who skated past the Tucson defense to go in all alone on net before he deposited the puck past Villalta for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:04 mark.

Villalta (10-5-1) stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced to earn the victory. Chrona (1-5-2) made 30 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Tucson went 2-for-5.

Tucson snapped a five-game losing streak against San Jose.

‘Cuda forward Bradon Coe celebrated his 22nd birthday.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Doan 2) John Leonard 3) Villalta.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-game series on Saturday 12/2 at 6:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.