“Rampage Roundup” is a weekly feature at The Sunshine Skate to keep you in touch with your favorite future Panthers.
Summary:
This past week was a relatively easy one for the Rampage, whose sole opponents were the Chicago Wolves for back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday. The Rampage split the wins with the Wolves, falling 3-2 in overtime on Saturday before coming back the next night in a 5–2 victory.
On Saturday night, the Rampage started off the scoring early, with Wade Megan’s first goal of the season, less than three minutes into the game. The Rampage were able to convert in the first period with just 4 SOG. The Wolves responded with a goal by Jeremy Welsh, tipped in past Dan Ellis during the 9th minute. Chicago then took the lead early in the second with a goal by Shane Harper before the Rampage tied it up a minute later with a power play goal by Garrett Wilson. Despite aggressive physical play and a few power play opportunities for both teams, the third period remained scoreless. The majority of overtime played out the same way until Chicago’s Pat Cannone scored the game winner with less than 30 seconds to go.
The two teams met again the next night, this time with Michael Houser in goal. It was a big win for the Rampage, with three of the five goals being on the power play. Chicago started off scoring halfway through the first period, with Brent Sopel’s first of the season. With the rest of the first remaining scoreless, the Rampage returned to the ice for the second period to put up three goals in a little over three minutes, starting with Connor Brickley’s power play goal during minute seven. Bobby Butler picked up a PPG of his own two minutes later and then followed up with an even strength goal at the halfway mark of the second, for his 23rd this year. The Rampage extended their lead to 4–1 in the third with a PPG by Mark Mancari during the 13th minute. Chicago’s Shane Harper notched his second goal in as many nights with less than four minutes to go but it wasn’t enough to bring the Wolves back in to the game. San Antonio solidified its lead and the victory with an empty netter from Logan Shaw. Butler, Shaw, and Brickley each had a multipoint night as Houser made 21 saves. The Rampage’s penalty kill was also able to find its stride against the Wolves, fending off 8 Chicago power play opportunities over the course of the two games, while the PP was able to convert 4 out of 10 chances.
Impact Players:
Garrett Wilson (18G, 11A) scored his third goal of February and his second of the “Rodeo Road Trip” during Saturday night’s game. The 23-year-old was then called up by Florida Panthers two days ago. Wilson played in three games for the Panthers last season and with yesterday’s trade of Sean Bergenheim to the Wild, he may have an opportunity to stick around a little longer.
Bobby Butler (23G, 25A) continues his impressive season, with an assist on Saturday night and two goals on Sunday. With 45 goals over the course of two seasons with the Rampage, Butler moved to fifth most in the team’s history, as well as tying Mike Green and Bracken Kearns for 7th in all-time scoring for the Rampage.
Bobby Butler's two goals (95 pts) move him into a tie for 7th place on the @sarampage all-time scoring list with Mike Green & Bracken Kearns
— Dan Weiss (@DanWeissPBP) February 22, 2015
Mark Mancari (10G, 29A) ended a seven game goal drought with a power play goal on Sunday night as Logan Shaw (12G, 9A) picked up a goal and an assist, scoring for the first time in 13 games.
In terms of roster moves, Vincent Trocheck was also called up to the Panthers as Shane O’Brien was reassigned to the Rampage. As of yesterday, Shayne Taker and Steven Hodges were both sent back to the Cyclones, with Taker participating in four games in February without notching a point while Hodges was only called up to the Rampage two days ago.
Upcoming games:
The Rampage next travel back down to the south, to play the Oklahoma City Barons in back-to-back games this Friday and Saturday night, before finishing out their “Rodeo Road Trip” in the Charlotte, North Carolina. As the point race in the Western Conference tightens, the Rampage have fallen to 6th place, with the Stars only three points behind. The Barons are still the Conference leaders with 72 points so far, but are only 7 points ahead of the Rampage.
Natalija can be reached for contact on Twitter.
