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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Az.
Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) watches Roadrunners right wing Hunter Drew’s (36) shot hit the net to bring ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ back to within one during the third period in game two of their best-of-three Calder Cup play-off series, April 26, 2024, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Az.
Roadrunners right wing Hunter Drew (36), left, and center Curtis Douglas (28) hug at mid-ice as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets swept out of the Calder Cup playoffs with a 4-3-loss, April 26, 2024, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Az. The game may have been the last ever for the Roadrunners in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Az. The game could be the last for the AHL franchise in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Roadrunners' 2023-24 AHL season comes to close after 4-3 Calder Cup playoff loss to Calgary
A late rally came up short, and the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Roadrunners' 2023-24 playoff run came to a close Friday night in Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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' ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ stay has 'been tremendous' as future in doubt with uncertainty if team will head to Phoenix area or not for 2024-25 season.