“Rampage Roundup” is a weekly feature at The Sunshine Skate to keep you in touch with your favorite future Panthers.
Summary:
The Rampage left Texas for the beginning of their “Rodeo Road Trip” to travel to the snowy north to play Grand Rapids and Rockford.
The first of two matchups against Grand Rapids on Friday, the 13th was the first of three in consecutive days, with the Rampage notching a 5–4 OT victory. Despite a less than illustrious start, the first period remained scoreless until the Griffins’ Teemu Pulkkinen scored at the end of the frame following a Rampage turnover. The Rampage returned to the second with more energy, scoring three goals, with the first coming in a little over four minutes into the period from Brett Olson. Five minutes later, Bobby Butler scored a short-handed goal, followed by an unassisted goal from Vincent Trocheck less than two minutes later. Despite several turnovers by the Rampage, Dan Ellis kept the game close until Andreas Athanasiou brought the Griffins within one. However, Garrett Wilson’s late goal extended the lead 4–2 going into the third. Pulkkinen, who happens to be the AHL’s leading goal scorer and ended the night with 8 SOG, got another one past Ellis five minutes into the third period. After five power play opportunities, the Griffins were finally able to break past the Rampage PK and score on their sixth attempt on a Bobby Butler slashing penalty, tying the game and sending it into overtime. The deciding goal came from Rocco Grimaldi, who once again stepped up when he was needed most, for his 9th goal of the season and his fourth overtime GWG.
The two teams played again the next night, with the result favoring the Red Wings’ affiliate in a 4–2 Rampage loss. The Griffins again started off in a similar fashion to the previous night, scoring well into the first period with a power play goal by Captain Jeff Hoggan due to an interference penalty by Tony Turgeon. Entering the middle frame, Connor Brickley continued to impress, scoring back-to-back goals in three minutes to give the Rampage a 2–1 lead. The lead didn’t last long as Grand Rapids tied it up with a goal from Andy Miele only minutes later, followed by Hoggan’s second of the night in the final minute of the second period. Despite a tight third period with only one penalty against the Griffins, the Rampage were not able to convert. With less than a minute to go, Houser left the net but Miele took advantage of the opportunity to score his second of the night into the empty net, giving Grand Rapids the 4–2 win.
The Rampage travelled the next day to Rockford to play the first of their two games against the IceHogs. With the team playing their third game in three days and little rest from travel, the Hawks’ AHL affiliate took advantage and delivered the Rampage a 2–1 loss. With Ellis in net for the Rampage and Darling for the IceHogs, the game was a true battle of the goalies. Rockford started the scoring with a goal by Brandon Mashinter, a little over five minutes into the first period. The only two penalties of the game happened in the first, though neither the Rampage nor the IceHogs were able to convert on their sole power play opportunities. The second period saw Connor Brickley continue his point streak with his 17th goal of the season, tying the game at 1–1. Crisp play continued throughout the third period, with Rockford’s Garret Ross scoring halfway through to give the home team the lead and eventually the victory.
With a few days rest and a morning game, the Rampage took on the IceHogs again early on Wednesday, resulting in an impressive 4–0 victory. Mackenzie Weegar started off the scoring with a power play goal less than two minutes into the first period, assisted by Trocheck and Olson, giving the rookie his second goal of the season. Olson followed up scoring with a goal of his own halfway through the first to give the Rampage a solid 2–0 lead. After a bit of a scuffle and coincidental minors, the Rampage got a 4-on-3 power play following a hooking penalty on the IceHogs, resulting in a PPG for none other than Trocheck, assisted by Butler and Weegar. The final goal came in the third period from the Captain, as Zanon scored his third goal in 12 games. Michael Houser skated off with his second career shutout and tied a season high 37 saves.
Impact Players:
Connor Brickley has been playing so well this season, it’s hard to believe he’s still a rookie. Brickley has played in all but three games this season for the Rampage, picking up 29 points, with 17 goals and 12 assists. He leads the league in goals for a rookie and is ranked 9th for overall points, only a couple spots behind Rocco Grimaldi. He’s also solidified his place on the second line along with Mark Mancari, which has been centered by Grimaldi for the past several games of this road trip. He’ll be a significant part of the Rampage’s playoff run and will hopefully get a chance in the Florida lineup next season.
Upcoming games:
The Rampage are 2–3 so far on the road trip, slipping to fifth in the Western Conference, with only five points separating them and the 8th ranked Stars, who have moved up two spots in the last week. In a relatively light week, the Rampage will next visit the Chicago Wolves for back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday before traveling back south to Oklahoma City at the end of the month. The 26–19–5–1 Wolves are only 4 points behind the Rampage and sit at 7th in the Western Conference.
Natalija can be reached for contact on Twitter.
