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Rampage Rewind: Week 1 – Oct. 8-15, 2015

October 15, 2015

The San Antonio Rampage got its season started this past weekend, making a road appearance in Texas to face the Stars. While the result wasn’t quite what the team and its fans would like to see, there is still much to be excited about. On display were many of the things that will make this team a success this year: an aggressive defense that stops the opponent at the blueline, offensive speed that draws penalties, a clean outlet for effective transitions, and goals from both the forwards and the blueline. Despite the meltdown in the second half of the season opener, the Rampage is full of veteran talent with nearly 500 NHL games between them. Expect to see more consistency as the season moves on.

The Week in Review

Games
Last Saturday (Oct. 10), the Rampage began the season on the road, the first time that has happened since 2006. San Antonio controlled the game during the first, jumping out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Andrew Agozzino and Maxim Noreau (power play). However, Texas came back strong in the second with Radek Faksa scoring just 25 seconds into the middle frame. The Rampage would add one of their own as the period wound down as Dennis Everberg notched his first of the season. The Rampage crumbled in the third period, however, allowing the Stars to score three consecutive goals, with Brendan Ranford netting two and Faksa getting his second on the night as well. With the Stars leading 4-3, Ben Street evened things up with just over a minute left in the period, sending the teams into overtime. Like the NHL, overtime consists of 3 players on each side for five minutes. As Devin Shore was still in the box for a tripping call in the final minute of the third, San Antonio had four players to Texas’s three. Shortly after re-entering play upon expiration of his penalty, Shore tipped one past Calvin Pickard to give the Stars a 5-4 OT win.

Highlights
Rampage @ Stars, Oct. 10

Play of the Week
Pickard says, “Are you looking for this?”

Roster Transactions
Cody Corbett was reassigned to the Fort Wayne Komets on Tuesday. The undrafted defenseman signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Avalanche in March 2014. He played 47 games for the Lake Erie Monsters last season, recording 3 goals and 3 assists. Prior to that, he spent three seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, during which time he scored 30 goals and 129 points in 190 games. Given the depth of the Rampage blueline, it’s unsurprising that Corbett would find himself in Fort Wayne.

The Week Ahead

Games
This weekend, the Rampage travels into Grand Rapids to face the Griffins in their home opener. The Griffins lost their first two games, so expect to see the players fired up to get that first win in front of the home crowd. Colin Campbell (RW) and Eric Tangradi (LW) both have goals so far this season.

Rampage @ Griffins: Friday, Oct. 16, 7 pm EDT
Rampage @ Griffins: Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 pm EDT

Storylines

Scoring and more Scoring
Center Ben Street already has three points on the season (1g, 2a), but he’s not alone in impressive scoring. The Rampage also boasts four players with two points each: Agozzino (1g, 1a), Everberg (1g, 1a) Noreau (1g, 1a) and Joey Hishon (2a).

Special Teams Kill It
Both the power play and penalty kill were on fire last Saturday. The Rampage converted on two of their five man advantages and killed off both penalties taken. Look to see this trend continue as it was a common occurrence during the preseason as well.