Wranglers Start Strong, Fall 7-3 to Roadrunners

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers opened strong Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome, taking an early lead before the Tucson Roadrunners used a decisive second-period surge to pull away for a 7-3 win.

Calgary grabbed a 1-0 lead late in the opening frame when Aydar Suniev converted on the power play, finishing a setup from Daniil Miromanov and Martin Frk. Tucson responded early in the second to tie the game 1-1 before taking a 2-1 lead, but Sam Morton answered midway through the period to even the score at 2-2. The goal extended Morton’s scoring streak to four games, giving him six points over his last five outings.

Momentum shifted quickly during a high-event middle frame as Tucson regained the lead and built separation, pushing the score to 5-2 before Daniil Miromanov brought Calgary back within two late in the period. Miromanov finished with a two-point night, recording a goal and an assist.

Tucson added two more goals in the third period to close out the scoring and seal the 7-3 result.

Hunter Brzustewicz and Matvei Gridin returned to the Wranglers lineup during the NHL Olympic break, with Brzustewicz recording an assist in his first game back with the club.

Arsenii Sergeev got the start for Calgary, stopping 18 of 23 shots before being replaced by Ivan Prosvetov, who turned aside two of four shots in relief.

The Wranglers will have a quick turnaround as the two teams meet again Saturday night at Scotiabank Saddledome in the final game before the All-Star break, giving Calgary an immediate opportunity to respond and close the homestand on a stronger note.