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Rampage Rewind: Losing Game Leads Cost the Division Lead

November 13, 2015

Rampage Rewind: Week 5 – Nov. 6 – Nov. 12, 2015

An unnerving trend has begun to take shape with the San Antonio Rampage. The team establishes a lead and lets it slip. Twice this week, that trend lead to overtime losses. The Pacific Division is a tough one, and while one point is better than none, the team still finds itself pushed into third place.

The Week in Review

Games
The marathon of games started out with a disappointing loss at home to the Chicago Wolves. After Borna Rendulic gave the Rampage a 2-goal lead just 24 seconds into the second period, the Wolves tied it up. Another San Antonio go-ahead goal was negated as the final seconds of regulation ticked away with the Wolves forcing the Rampage into a fourth consecutive overtime period. Despite a few close calls off the sticks of Rendulic and Joey Hishon, the Wolves prevailed and secured the comeback with a 4-3 win in OT.

While the Stars struck first in the game, San Antonio came back with three unanswered goals to give the boys a 4-1 lead early in the third period. The Stars came back, however, with two goals of their own. Fortunately, the Rampage held on as the final minutes ticked away. The big stars of the night for the Rampage were Mikko Rantanen, who had two goals and one assist, Joey Hishon, with two assists, and Calvin Pickard who came up huge to stop 45 of 48 shots.

This game was one for the emergency room as the back-and-forth scoring kept the heart palpitating frantically. San Antonio got on the board first with a tally from Troy Bourke just 49 seconds into the game. The second period was a scoreless stalemate, but then things opened up in the third. The Rampage added another goal (Colin Smith), but then the Wolves answered back with two of their own to tie it up. Zadorov put San Antonio ahead, but with 94 seconds left in the game, Ty Rattie (the draft pick the Avalanche gave up when acquiring Duncan Siemens) tied it up. It took less than a minute of three-on-three overtime for the Wolves to clinch the win for a final score of 4-3.

The Rampage dug themselves a hole early in this one, going down 4-0 by the end of the first period. The team looked as if the long weekend had finally taken its toll as play was sloppy and miscommunication rampant. The final score was a crushing 6-3 defeat, the first regulation loss this season. Goals were scored by Nikita Zadorov, Andrew Agozzino, and Hishon.

Highlights
Rampage vs. Wolves, Nov. 6 (Loss, 4-3 OT)
Rampage @ Stars, Nov. 7 (Win, 4-3)
Rampage vs. Wolves, Nov. 8 (Loss, 4-3 OT)
Rampage @ Stars, Nov. 11 (Loss, 6-3)

Plays of the Week
“You’re making this too easy for me, boys”

Roster Transactions
Left Wing Andreas Martinsen was recalled by the Avalanche in order to fill the roster hole created by an injured Alex Tanguay. Martinsen has two points (1g, 1a) in his nine AHL games thus far. In his two games with the Avalanche, he has registered nine hits and two shots.

Goaltender Calvin Pickard was also recalled by the Avalanche as starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov is out day-to-day with a groin injury. This is Pickard’s second stint as injury relief for Varlamov as he appeared in 16 games last season, posting an impressive .932 save percentage and 2.35 goals against average.

Goaltender Spencer Martin was called up from the Fort Wayne Komets to provide back up duties while Roman Will fills in for Pickard. Martin has played four games for the Komets this season (2-2-0) and has a .985 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average. This is Martin’s first season in professional hockey. Last season, he was named to the OHL All Star team on the back of a .921 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average for the Mississauga Steelheads.

Zach Redmond was recalled by the Avalanche, as well, to fill in for Brad Stuart who has been put on injured reserve. Redmond joins the team after being a roster regular last season. He played 59 games for the Avalanche, putting up five goals and 15 assists. He has been a top producer for the Rampage so far, leading the defensemen with three goals and tied for first in points with seven.

Goaltender Richard Plester was signed to a PTO but quickly released as he only served as back up for Wendesday’s game against the Stars because Martin could not make it to Texas in time. Plester often works with the Stars as a practice goaltender.

The Week Ahead

Games
The Rampage have an easier go of it this week than last with all three contests at home. Tonight’s game is against the Stockton Heat (2-5-0-1) at 7:30 pm CT. This will be the first night of a back-to-back for the Heat who sit dead last in the Pacific Division with only 2 wins (.312 win percentage). Stockton has been struggling to score, having put up only 15 goals while allowing 21.

After a day off on Saturday, San Antonio is back at it for a Sunday afternoon (Nov. 15) tilt against old friends Texas Stars (4:00 pm CT). Expect to see the Rampage come out strong as Wednesday night’s loss did not sit well.

Don’t get caught thinking it’s déjà vu on Tuesday morning (Nov. 17, 10:30 am) as the two teams are pitted against each other for the fifth time this season. Texas holds the series so far at two games to one, but apart from this week’s barn burner, the games have been close and exciting.

Storylines

Boarding Bordy
Patrick Bordeleau received a three-game suspension for boarding. The incident took place during the team’s November 7th game against the Texas Stars. He missed Wednesday’s game against Texas and will be out tonight against Stockton and Sunday against Texas.

Returning to the Fold
Both Andrew Agozzino and Marc-Andre Cliche returned to action after missing games due to injuries. Agozzino was out again due to an earlier shoulder injury, and Cliche’s absence was due to “wear and tear,” according to head coach Dean Chynoweth.

Streaking
Until Wednesday’s loss to the Texas Stars, the Rampage recorded the franchise’s longest point streak with 10 games (6-0-4-0; 16 points). Prior to this season, the longest streak was a five-game streak with a 4-0-1-0 run beginning with the opening night game.