Dakota Mermis scored with seven seconds left in overtime to lift the Tucson Roadrunners 2-1 over the Chicago Wolves Friday night at Tucson Convention Center Arena.
Center Brandon Pirri scored Chicago’s lone goal for his team-leading 18th of the season. Wolves goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo (9-10-2) stopped 26 of 28 shots, including the first 24 he faced.
After a 46-minute, 13-second scoreless span, Pirri ended the game’s goal drought in the desert. Defenseman Chris Casto started the scoring play back behind the Wolves (21-15-6-2) net when he shoveled the puck around the board to his partner Jason Garrison. Garrison got the puck to T.J. Tynan. Tynan — joined by Pirri — rushed up ice. In the offensive zone, Tynan fed a pass to Pirri in the left circle for a shot that found its way behind Hunter Miska (13-3-0) for the 1-0 lead at 6:13 of the third period.
Ten minutes and 31 seconds later, Tucson (23-12-2-1) tied the game. Dylan Strome corralled an errant pass in the Wolves zone and fed it to Mario Kempe in the left circle. Kempe pushed the puck through the slot to Lawson Crouse on the other side for a shot that Kaskisuo could not get across the crease in time to stop.
In the 3-on-3 overtime, Mike Sislo slipped a pass from the left circle to Mermis, who weaved through the slot and flung a backhand on net that beat Kaskisuo.
Misha made 21 saves in the victory.
The Wolves and Roadrunners compete in their season series finale Saturday, Jan. 27, at Tucson Convention Center Arena. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on CW50.
