Photos: the Roadrunners get swept 2-0 in their opening series vs Calgary in the Calder Cup playoffs
The Roadrunners fell out of the AHL playoffs with their second straight loss, a 4-3 defeat to Calgary in their best-of-three, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Ariz.
Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) sprawls out and keeps Roadrunners left wing Travis Barron (26) from the puck during the first period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary defenseman Yan Kuznetsov (37) keeps trying to get the puck away from Roadrunners center Connor Geekie (82), left, and right wing Hunter Drew (36) near mid-ice during the first period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
A Roadrunners fan waves her banner as the team warms up to face Calgary in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Max Trickett stretches way out to get a high five from a Roadrunners player while the team leaves the ice after pre-game drills for their game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series against Clagary, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary defenseman Jeremie Poirier (4) punts the puck out danger in front of goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during a Roadrunners attack in the first period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners right wing Austin Poganski (41) has to work out of the hug from Calgary right wing Adam Klapka (43) during the first period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners forward Dylan Guenther (11) slips the puck under Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) to open the scoring during the first period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az. The Roadrunners held the lead for less than a minute.
Roadrunners forward Milos Kelemen (21) climbs over Calgary Sam Morton (45) in pursuit of the puck during the first period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) reaches out to poke away the puck and snuff a Roadrunners scoring threat during the first period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners center Curtis Douglas (28) waits for the team to file past him and head out to the ice and face Calgary in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners goaltender Matthew Villalta (31) parries a Calgary shot in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners goaltender Matthew Villalta (31), left, and forward Jan Jenik (24) lead the players out under the cell phone lights to face Calgary in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners goaltender Matthew Villalta (31) can’t get to the shot from Calgary center Riley Damiani (11) for a Wrangler score during the second period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary center Riley Damiani (11) gets congratulated after scoring against the Roadrunners during the second period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary center Cole Schwindt (10) grabs a high flying puck near the blue line during the second period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series against the Roadrunners, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary Sam Morton (45) ties up Roadrunners defenseman Patrik Koch (64) behind the Wrangler net during the second period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary center Riley Damiani (11) leaves Roadrunners defenseman Max Szuber (55) in his way as he breaks out during the second period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners goaltender Matthew Villalta (31) hunts for the loose puck in a crowd in his crease during the second period in game two against Calgary in their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) slides over to save a Roadrunner shot during the second period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners forward Milos Kelemen (21) can’t get the puck on goal in front of Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the third period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary left wing Jakob Pelletier (49) takes off an triggers a Wrangle rush during the second period against the Roadrunners in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) makes a blind stab to save a point-blank shot from Roadrunners center Connor Geekie (82) during the third period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary left wing William Stromgren (44) exults after scoring what turned out to be the winning score in the third period of the Wranglers’ 4-3 win over the Roadrunners in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) watches Roadrunners right wing Hunter Drew’s (36) shot hit the net to bring Tucson back to within one during the third period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary center Riley Damiani (11) wrists a shot past Roadrunners right wing Austin Poganski (41) and on goal during the third period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Calgary Sam Morton (45) pleads innocence after Roadrunners defenseman Steven Kampfer (44) went down from a hit to the face during the third period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
A young fan tries to lift the team early in the first period of the Roadrunners’ game against Calgary in their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners forward Milos Kelemen (21) and Calgary defenseman Mark Pysyk (13) scuffle during a wide spread skirmish late in the third period of game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners right wing Aku Raty (35) stands a mid-ice after the final horn of their 4-3 loss to Calgary and a 2-0 sweep in their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners right wing Hunter Drew (36), left, and center Curtis Douglas (28) hug at mid-ice as Tucson gets swept out of the Calder Cup playoffs with a 4-3-loss, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Roadrunners center Curtis Douglas (28) raise his stick and acknowledges the crowd after a 4-3 loss and 2-0 sweep out of the Calder Cup play-offs, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az. The game may have been the last ever for the Roadrunners in Tucson.
A group of Roadrunners embrace in the minutes after the team’s 4-3 loss to Calgary and a fall out of the Calder Cup play-off and what could be the team’s last game, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az.
The empty ice and seats at the TCC after the Roadrunners were swept out of the Calder Cup play-offs with a 4-3 loss to Calgary, April 26, 2024, Tucson, Az. The game could be the last for the AHL franchise in Tucson.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
A late rally came up short, and the Tucson Roadrunners' 2023-24 playoff run came to a close Friday night in Downtown Tucson. Tucson lost 4-3 to the Calgary Wranglers, who completed a two-game sweep in the first-round, best-of-three Calder Cup playoff series.
The end? Roadrunners' Tucson stay has 'been tremendous' as future in doubt with uncertainty if team will head to Phoenix area or not for 2024-25 season.