The Colorado Eagles took a 5-3 decision in Tucson, in regulation, after answering a tied game with two late third-period goals. The Eagles scored first in every period and never trailed.
Colorado led 2-0 inside 15 minutes before Tucson pulled one back at 19 for a 1-2 first-period score; the Eagles restored the two-goal cushion at 26, and the Roadrunners answered at 40 to make it 2-3 through two. Tucson tied it 3-3 at 43, and that was the turning point in reverse — Colorado went back ahead at 52 and sealed it at 59.
The number that frames it: the Eagles out-scored Tucson in all three periods, 2-1, 1-1 is even but the thirds broke 2-1 their way, and they finished 3-5 on the road. Eight goals, five of them Colorado's, and the last two inside the final eight minutes.