The Goal Heard Around San Antonio

Quick post for your reminiscing pleasure. Around 11:30pm, last Friday night, San Antonio Rampage history was made.

 The Rampage had just blown a 2 goal lead in the 3rd period. The second, coming off the stick of the man I know only as "Darren F'ing Haydar". 25+ minutes of sudden death had accomplished nothing except reducing my life span several months.

Then, after a couple of pucks off Wolves sticks fortuitously found iron instead of net, and after a sprawling Jacob Markstrom made a remarkable poke check on Jeremy Davies, the puck was sent the length of the ice for what was sure to be an icing infraction against the Rampage.

 But "Wild" Bill Thomas was tired and wanted to go home. So Billy got on his proverbial horse and beat the defender to the puck, crashing violently into the boards. It looked a lot like this:

 Somehow, Jon Matsumoto was able to dig the puck out from two Chicago players. He made a nifty move around a third and found a streaking...wait...Roman Derlyuk?!?!? Derlyuk doing his best Bobby Orr impersonation buried the game winner:
(click link for audio)

Chaos ensued. My wife squealed. I yelled a simple, "YES!" and raised my fist in defiance. I've waited five years for a moment like this. I swear I could hear the 600 die-hard Rampage fans all around the 210. Back on the ice in Chicago, the Rampage swarmed the young Russian, including a surprisingly agile Matsumoto leap:

Life was good in Rampageland. No matter what happens from this point on, we will always remember the team that refuses to quit and gets historic goals from the unlikeliest of places.


Photo Credit: Chris Jerina (@chrisjerina / chrisjerina.smugmug.com )
Audio credit: Dan Weiss (@SARampage_Voice) and www.sarampage.com

AHL Western Conf. Semi-finals: Rampage vs. Barons

San Antonio Rampage

41-30-3-2 (87 Pts)

6th in Western Conf.

3rd in West Division

2011/12 vs. OKC: 4-4-0-0

 Vs.        

                                          

Oklahoma City Barons

45-22-4-5 (99 Pts)

1st in Western Conf. 

West Division Champions 

2011/12 vs. San Antonio:4-4

Schedule:

Game 1- 5/3: SA @ OKC 7:00pm CDT

Game 2- 5/5: SA @ OKC 7:00pm CDT

Game 3- 5/7: OKC @ SA 7:00pm CDT 

Game 4- 5/10: OKC @ SA 7:00pm CDT

Game 5*- 5/11: OKC @ SA 7:00pm CDT
Game 6*- 5/13: SA @ OKC 4:00pm CDT
Game 7*- 5/15: SA @ OKC 7:00pm CDT

* = if necessary

Season series: 

Oct 14: OKC-3 SA-2

Oct 30: OKC-4 SA-1

Dec 2: OKC-1 SA-0

Dec 3: SA-2 OKC-1
Dec 31: SA-4 OKC-3
Feb 2: OKC-3 SA-0
Feb 19: SA-1 OKC-0
Apr 15: SA-1 OKC-0

Home team in bold.

 

 The San Antonio Rampage advanced to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time in franchise history by beating the Midwest Champion Chicago Wolves in double OT in game 5 in the first round. As a reward, the Rampage get to face the #1 seed in the Western Conference and the second best defensive team in the entire AHL. The Barons dispatched the Houston Aeros in 4 games, outscoring the Aeros 14-4 allowing no more than 2 goals in any single game.

 The Barons have a terrific defensive corps, anchored by Calder Cup champion and former Rampage defenseman Bryan Helmer. They are backstopped by reigning AHL goalie of the year Yann Danis. Up front, the Barons are a balanced and dangerous offensive team. No player more dangerous than Ryan Keller. Keller is a point per game performer in his playoff career and knows what it takes to win a cup, having done so last year in Binghamton.

 Meanwhile, the Rampage got some huge first round performances from Jon Matsumoto (3-6-9), James Wright (2-4-6) and goalie Jacob Markstrom (3-0 2.46GAA .922 Save%). Also stepping up with some HUGE goals were the Rampage defensemen. Colby Robak and Roman Derlyuk each scored OT winners in the series and rookie Alex Petrovic also added 4 points.

 The Rampage and Barons split the season series 4-4 with the Barons taking 3 of the first 4 and the Rampage winning 3 of the last 4. OKC outscored the Rampage 15-11 in the 8 games. OKC was 3-34 on the PP while the Rampage went just 3-27. Mark Arcobello (0-5-5) and Ryan Keller (3-2-5) led the Barons on the scoresheet and Yann Danis won just one of three games played vs. the Rampage but put up sick numbers saving 73 of 75 shots faced allowing just 2 goals in 3 games. For the Rampage, Evan Barlow was the surprising leader on offense with a goal and 3 assists. Jacob Markstrom and Dov Grumet-Morris had nearly identical numbers, both going 2-1 with a .949 save %. They both stopped 75 of 79 shots faced and each recorded a shutout.

Doom if:  Oklahoma City scores like they did in the Houston series. The Barons are an elite defensive team with elite goaltending and the Rampage can't afford to fall behind.

Glee if:   The Rampage can score 3-4 goals per game and keep the PP rolling. This will be an extremely tall order, but if they can find some offense, their defense and goaltending is good enough to keep OKC at bay.

Prediction:  I won't predict what I think happens in each game as a 7 game series is just to hard to predict game by game. The Rampage can win this series if they play virtually mistake free hockey. They need to do it 4 times out of 7. Unfortunately, I don't think they will and Danis will just be too good. Barons in 6  

(please let me be wrong, like usual)

Injury Updates and Player News:

• Sean Sullivan and Michal Repik have both resumed practicing and travelled with the team to OKC today.
• Greg Rallo was a late scratch for game 5 and his status for this series is uncertain. (also read as OUT)
• The Rampage added Vincent Trocheck, Logan Shaw, and Quentin Howden this weekend. Howden practiced on a line with Timmins and Barlow and is a very good possibility to play this week.
• Rampage rookie defenseman Alex Petrovic was named the WHL Defenseman of the Year. Congrats to him on this outstanding achievement.

AHL Western Conference Playoffs: Rampage vs. Wolves Preview

San Antonio Rampage

41-30-3-2 (87 Pts)

6th in Western Conf.

3rd in West Division

2011/12 Record vs. Chicago: 4-0-0-0

 Vs.        

                                          

Chicago Wolves

42-27-4-3 (91 Pts)

3rd in Western Conf. 

Midwest Division Champions 

2011/12 vs. San Antonio: 0-3-0-1

Schedule:

Game 1- 4/19: Chi @ SA 7:00pm CDT

Game 2- 4/21: Chi @ SA 7:00pm CDT

Game 3- 4/24: SA @ Chi 7:00pm CDT 

Game 4*- 4/25: SA @ Chi 7:00pm CDT

Game 5*- 4/27: SA @ Chi 7:00pm CDT

* = if necessary

Season series: 

Oct 8: SA-3 Chi-2 S/O

Nov 19: SA-4 Chi-3

Feb 29: SA-2 Chi-1

Apr 12: SA-2 Chi-1

Home team in bold.

 

 For the 3rd time in franchise history, the San Antonio Rampage will take part in the Calder Cup playoffs. In 2003, the franchise's first season in the league, the Rampage made the playoffs as a 6th seed, but were swept out of the first round by the Norfolk Admirals. Five seasons later, the Rampage would make the playoffs for the second time and face the Toronto Marlies in a hard fought 7 game series. The Rampage would lose game 7 in Toronto on a heartbreaking goal in the final minute of a tie game.

 This season, the Rampage will try to make it out of the first round for the first time in history. They will face Midwest Division champion Chicago in the best of five series. The Rampage went 4-0 on the season against the Wolves, winning every game by a single goal. 

 Chicago goalie Eddie Lack has started every game vs the Rampage going 0-4 but allowing just 10 goals in those four games. At the other end, Jacob Markstrom has started the last two games vs the Wolves and has put up stellar numbers. Markstrom is 2-0 with a 1.00 GAA and a .967 GAA.

 Scott Timmins was the leading scorer in the season series for the Rampage, scoring 1 goal and adding 3 assists in four games. For Chicago, Rampage killer Darren Haydar led the Wolves with 1 goal and 3 assists. Conversely, Chicago's leading scorer Mark Mancari was held scoreless and put up a -7 in the series.

Doom if:  Markstrom loses any focus whatsoever. The Wolves are a dangerous offensive team. They are also good defensively and stellar in net with Lack and Climie backing up. The margin for error will be zero

Glee if:   The Rampage can somehow find their power play this week. The Wolves PP is slightly better than San Antonio's, but their PK is one of the best in the league. If they can get some goals with the man advantage, they will be playing with house money.

Prediction:  Rampage split the two at home, then split games 3 and 4. It comes down to game 5 and they squeak out another gut churning one goal victory on the shoulders of Jacob Markstrom and the defense. Rampage in 5.

 

Gameday! Rampage vs. Texas: Apr. 13th 7:00pm CDT

San Antonio Rampage

39-29-3-2 5th Place- Western Conference (83 pts)
Last game: Defeated Milwaukee 4-1 on Apr. 10th

Leaders:

Goals: B.Thomas 26

Assists: Matsumoto 38

Pts: Matsumoto 59

+/-: M.Cullen/S.Sullivan/N.Yonkman  +14

PIM: E. Selleck 194

Wins: D. Grumet-Morris 19

GAA: J.Markstrom 2.30

Save%: Markstrom .928



 Vs.

Texas Stars

31-38-2-2 15th- Western Conference (66 pts)
Last game: Defeated Chicago 5-2 on Apr. 10th

Leaders:

Goals: M. Fraser 26

Assists: T. Morin 40

Points: Morin 49

+/-: F.Wathier +2

PIM: Wathier/L.Gazdic 80

Wins: T. Beskorowany 10

GAA: Raycroft 3.16

Save%: Raycroft .891

ATT Center

San Antonio, TX

7:00PM CDT

Radio courtesy of Ticket 760

  It's here. The final weekend. The biggest weekend in San Antonio's ten year history. Three points earns a playoff spot with zero help from other teams. The Rampage will play 3 games in 3 nights, all against division rivals, with an opportunity to lock up the team's first playoff spot in 4 years and just it's 3rd in franchise history.

  Tonight, the hated Texas Stars come to town. Yes, they are in last place. No, they should not be overlooked. They have 3 new players, signed after their respective college and junior seasons ended, including Hobey Baker finalist Austin Smith and 1st round draft pick goalie Jack Campbell.They also recently got several players back from Dallas when the Stars were eliminated from the NHL playoffs.

  The Stars top line of Fraser-Morin-Vincour has pretty much destroyed the Rampage this season, putting up 28 points in 11 games. To counter, the B-B-M line has put up 24 points. The wildcard players could be former Rampage forward Angelo Esposito, who has scored 5 points in 5 games against the Rampage since being traded to the Stars, and former Star Greg Rallo who has scored 7 points (4-3) in the last 5 meetings.

  Rampage goalie Jacob Markstrom has been a legit top goalie in the league since coming back from Florida in Mid-February. In 15 games since returning, Markstrom has gone 9-4-1-1 with a 1.91 GAA and a .942 save %. He's allowed just 29 goals in those 15 games. Those are "Best goalie in the league" numbers over that stretch.

  The Rampage can clinch a berth tonight under two scenarios:

1)  Regulation W vs. Texas AND a Rochester loss (reg/OT/SO) vs. Syracuse AND a Lake Erie loss (reg/OT/SO) vs. Hamilton AND a Peoria loss (reg/OT/SO) or regulation win vs. Charlotte

2) Shootout W vs. Texas AND a Rochester loss (reg/OT/SO) vs. Syracuse AND a Lake Erie loss (reg/OT/SO) vs. Hamilton AND Peoria vs. Charlotte finishes in regulation

  There's a rumor that tonight might approach a sellout. The guys are talking about it on twitter and the buzz is in the air. Let's show up tonight and tear the house down. There would be nothing sweeter than beating the rival Stars, on home ice, with a playoff spot on the line.

 Today,  I leave with this:

LET'S GO RAMPAGE!!!

  

Gameday! Rampage vs. Milwaukee: Apr 7th 7:00pm CDT

San Antonio Rampage

38-28-3-2 6th Place- Western Conference (81 pts)
Last game: Defeated Chicago 2-1 on Apr. 4th

Leaders:

Goals: B.Thomas 25

Assists: J.Matsumoto/M.Cullen 36

Pts: Matsumoto 57

+/-: N.Yonkman +15

PIM: E. Selleck 194

Wins: D. Grumet-Morris 19

GAA: Grumet-Morris 2.34

Save%: J.Markstrom .927



 VS.

Milwaukee Admirals

36-28-2-4 10th- Western Conference (78pts)
Last game: Defeated Charlotte 4-2 on Apr 5th

Leaders:

Goals: C. Mueller 29

Assists: V. Bartley 30

Points: Mueller 55

+/-: S. Ford +24

PIM: Z. Stortini 144

Wins: J. Smith 28

GAA: Smith 2.27

Save%: Smith .918

ATT Center

San Antonio,TX

7:00pm CDT

Radio courtesy of Ticket 760

 The playoff push continues tonight on home ice for the Rampage as they battle the hard charging Milwaukee Admirals at the ATT Center. The Admirals have moved to within a single point of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference winning 6 of their last 10 while picking up at least one point in 8 of 10. The Rampage, meanwhile, sit in sole possession of 6th place, but are just 3 points away from missing the playoffs altogether.

 Jacob Markstrom will make his 5th straight start tonight and the rest of the Rampage lineup should remain the same as Wednesday night's win over Chicago. Markstrom has taken the reigns as the #1 goaltender and I expect him to be the man from this point forward. He has done nothing to lose the job in the last 2 weeks, and could be the deciding force down the stretch and possibly in a playoff series.

  The Rampage called up a handful of players from Cincinnati on Friday as insurance and to push the starters in practice. Garrett Wilson, Anthony Luciani, Joe Devin, and Justin Vaive are all on their way to San Antonio. Vaive is the only player of the four included on the "Clear Day" list, so would be the only player eligible to see game action unless there are a rash of injuries or call ups.

  Tonight is another game 7 for the Rampage. We need the fans to do their part and bring the support. Come loud and come proud. And for God's sake, keep "The Wave" in 1985 where it belongs.

See you at the rink. Until then, LET'S GO RAMPAGE!!

 

Gameday! Rampage @ Peoria: Apr 1st 5:00pm CDT

San Antonio Rampage

37-27-3-2 Tied-5th Place- Western Conference (79 pts)
Last game: Defeated Rockford 4-3 (S/O) on Mar. 31st

Leaders:

Goals: B.Thomas 25

Assists: J.Matsumoto/M.Cullen 36

Pts: Matsumoto 57

+/-: N.Yonkman +15

PIM: E. Selleck 192

Wins: D. Grumet-Morris 19

GAA: Grumet-Morris 2.34

Save%: J.Markstrom .923



 AT

Peoria Rivermen

36-30-2-2 Tied-9th- Western Conference (76pts)
Last game:Lost 4-1 to Charlotte on Mar 31st

Leaders:

Goals: J.Cheechoo 24

Assists: T.J. Hensick 46

Points: Hensick 66

+/-: C.Fairchild +27

PIM: A.Peluso 159

Wins: J.Allen 11

GAA: Allen 2.89

Save%: Allen .916

Carver Arena

Peoria, IL

5:00 PM CDT

Radio courtesy of Ticket 760

 

 The Rampage play their final road game outside the state of Texas this evening as they take on the Rivermen in a crucial Western Conference showdown. The Rivermen sit 3 points behind the Rampage in the standings and are currently on the outside of the playoffs looking in after losing two straight this weekend. The Peoria offense is very dangerous led by TJ Hensick and recently acquired Patrick O'Sullivan. The Rampage defense will need to play mistake free hockey today. They are, however, playing their 3rd game in 3 days and are prone to giving up goals. 

 The Rampage earned a HUGE 2 points last night in a 4-3 seven round shootout victory in Rockford. After falling behind early, the Rampage scored two goals just 30 seconds apart in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. The lead was short lived, however, as the IceHogs would tie the game less than 5 minutes later. The Hogs reclaimed their lead just 2:35 later in the second and would take a 3-2 lead into the final period. After a back and forth 3rd period that saw Jacob Markstrom come up huge, once again, to preserve the one goal deficit, Jon Matsumoto would score the tying goal with just under 8 minutes left. 

After a scoreless OT, the teams would exchange shootout goals Mark Cullen and Terry Broadhurst, the shootout would go to "extra innings". After a Markstrom save on Rob Flick, Rampage forward James Wright would beat Hogs goalie Carter Hutton for the extra point.

News and Notes

• Drew Shore, just signed out of college and playing in his first professional game, picked up an assist on the game tying goal in the 3rd.
• Sean Sullivan dropped the gloves for the first time this season early in the game.
• No word yet on who will get the start in goal today. After a 46 save effort last night, I could see Markstrom getting the day off.

 The Rampage now sit 3 points clear of the final playoff spot. They have also played less than or as many games as any team immediately behind them. A win today would go a very long ways to locking up a playoff spot, barring tragedy in the final 2 weeks. Let's make it happen, boys.

LET'S GO RAMPAGE!

Gameday! Rampage @ IceHogs: March 31st 7:05PM

San Antonio Rampage

36-27-3-2 7th Place- Western Conference (77 pts)
Last game: Defeated Hamilton 3-2 on Mar. 28th

Leaders:

Goals: B.Thomas 25

Assists: J.Matsumoto/M.Cullen 35

Pts: Matsumoto 55

+/-: N.Yonkman +17

PIM: E. Selleck 192

Wins: D. Grumet-Morris 19

GAA: Grumet-Morris 2.34

Save%: Grumet-Morris/J.Markstrom .922



 AT

 

Rockford IceHogs

33-29-2-5 12th- Western Conference (73pts)
Last game: Defeated Peoria 5-4 (S/O) on Mar 30th

Leaders:

Goals: B.Pirri/P.LeBlanc 22

Assists: Pirri 29

Points: Pirri 51

+/-: Pirri +9

PIM:J.Morin 116

Wins: C. Hutton 22

GAA: Hutton 2.32

Save%: Hutton .918

BMO Harris Bank Center

Rockford, IL

7:05PM CDT

Radio courtesy of Ticket 760

 For the last 3 weeks, every weekend has been the "biggest weekend of the season" for the Rampage. Nothing changes this weekend as San Antonio travels to Rockford, Illinois for a huge contest with the red hot IceHogs. Rockford has won 4 in a row jumping right back into the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. The Hogs are a chippy and hard working team that capitalizes on mistakes and will beat you up. They are also backstopped by Carter Hutton, who is having an excellent season.

 The Rampage are coming off a much needed 3-2 win over Hamilton on Wednesday night. The win vaulted the Rampage into 4th place. However, over the course of the last two nights, they have dropped to a tie for 7th. The West is extremely tight and it's even showing in the games. It seems as though almost every game is going to OT or a shootout. Getting 2 points every game is all the Rampage can control, so while scoreboard watching is fun, their playoff hopes rest in just one team's hands. Their own.

News and Notes:

 

• David Marshall has been cleared to play and will return to the lineup as soon as his conditioning is up to par. No word on if he will be in the lineup as of this writing.
• University of Denver Center, Drew Shore was recently signed by the Panthers and signed an ATO with the Rampage. He is with the team and could play this weekend.
• It appears that Jacob Markstrom is taking a firm hold on the #1 goalie job. He has clearly outperformed DGM over recent weeks and was called the "best player on the team" by head coach, Chuck Weber after Wednesday nights win.

To close, there is very little left for me to say about the importance of the rest of these games this season. It's playoff hockey from here on out. The Rampage need to treat every game as a game 7. Win or go home. So, LETS GO RAMPAGE!!