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Rampage Rewind: The downward slide continues

BSN Denver

January 8, 2016

Rampage Rewind: Weeks 12-13 —Dec. 28, 2015 – Jan. 7, 2016

Things have not been pretty for the San Antonio Rampage. The losing has continued, and the team now finds itself all the way in sixth place in the Pacific Division, two spots shy of a playoff berth. There is still time to right the ship, but San Antonio can no longer afford any significant losing streaks. The team needs to play over .500 for the remainder of the season if it hopes to be playing in the post-season.

The Weeks in Review

Games
The Rampage saw lots of losses over the holidays. It started at home on December 27th as the Stars thwarted yet another comeback bid. Texas scored twice in the first and added the eventual game winner in the second. Dennis Everberg got his eighth goal of the season to split the lead in half at the 15:21 mark of the second, and Joey Hishon brought the team with in one just 25 seconds into the third. But the Stars shut down San Antonio for the remainder of the game and skated away with the W.

Two nights later, the teams were at it once again and, like the previous game, were fairly even in shots. The scoring was much more even this time, though, as San Antonio struck first with Borna Rendulic scoring his fifth goal of the season early in the first period. Texas answered back with two goals of their own, but San Antonio got another early-period goal in the middle frame, this time off the stick of Reid Petryk (4th). Another two goals by Texas, one in the second and one in the third, were followed up by Everberg’s tally midway through the final period. Rendulic netted his second of the night to tie it up with just over seven minutes left in regulation. Texas scored the overtime winner three minutes into the extra period.

The Rampage headed west for a New Year’s Day match up with the San Diego Gulls. This game was, unfortunately, all San Diego, scoring two goals in the second and an empty netter in the third for insurance. Petryk scored the lone goal for the Rampage.

Another night, another chance at the San Diego Gulls on January 3rd. This time it was San Antonio that struck first and often as the team leaped out to a 3-0 lead by the 4:17 mark of the second period. Rendulic, Michael Schumacher, and Chris Bigras got the goals. Sadly, the Gulls fired back with four unanswered goals, split between the second and third periods, to give the team another victory against the Rampage.

Highlights
Rampage vs. Texas Stars, Dec. 27 (L, 2-3)
Rampage at Texas Stars, Dec. 29 (OTL, 4-5)
Rampage vs. San Diego Gulls, Jan. 1 (L, 1-3)
Rampage vs. San Diego Gulls, Jan. 3 (L, 3-4)

Play of the Week
“Bornalicious!”

Roster Transactions
Defenseman Gabriel Beaupre and forward Alex Belzile flew back to Fort Wayne to join the Komets yet again.

The Week Ahead

Games
San Antonio begins a 4-game west coast road trip with a shot at the Bakersfield Condors on Friday, January 8 (7:00 PST) and Saturday, January 9. Friday will be the first game ever between these two teams as the Condors joined the AHL as part of this season’s expansion. Prior to this season, the team was part of the ECHL. Bakersfield is the first hurdle the Rampage must clear on its way to playoff contention. Sitting just .02 win-percentage points behind the California team, wins this weekend are a must.

The team then heads northwest to face the San Jose Barracuda where the former Monsters will face some old teammates in Bryan Lerg and Karl Stollery. Lerg sits third on the Barracuda in points with 17 (7g, 10a). The team is another the Rampage must pass in order to get a playoff spot, so once again, the team is facing a must-win game. The Barracuda have a 15-10-2-3 record with a 0.583 win percentage.

Storylines

Rantanen’s Charmed Life
So you’re this young kid from Finland. You get drafted in the first round and start the season in the best league in the world, living a dream you’ve had since you first laced up the skates. You hit a bit of a road bump as you are sent to the minors for some development, but you don’t let that stop you. You end up leading the team in scoring despite playing at least seven fewer games than your teammates. Then you get to participate in the coveted World Junior Championships in your homeland, named captain, and subsequently beat every team you face on your way to winning the gold medal. While you’re still relishing in the accolades and warm fuzzies of the win, you find out you’ve made the AHL All Star team as a rookie. Things are going pretty well for ole Rantanen right now.

Hometown Blues
Winning at home has not been easy for the Rampage. In fact, the team has only produced four wins on home ice, something that must change if the team expects to play some puck past April 15th.

Riding High on the Road
On the other hand, the Rampage shines on the road with one of the best away records in the league (10-4-4-0). The team is tied for third in road points at 24.