“Rampage Roundup” is a weekly feature at The Sunshine Skate to keep you in touch with your favorite future Panthers.
Summary:
The Rampage clinched a playoff spot and extended their win streak to nine games in a 5–4 victory over the Adirondack Flames on Thursday, April 2nd. In their second match up on Saturday, April 4th, the Flames ended that streak, defeating San Antonio 7–4. The team also faced off with the Oklahoma City Barons for the last time this season in a 4–1 victory on Tuesday night.
Mark Mancari seems to have gotten his groove back: he started off scoring for the Rampage on Thursday night, a little over two minutes into the first period. The Flames responded three minutes later as David Wolf scored on the power play. Wade Megan was able to get on the board for his fifth of the season a few minutes later, as the quick start to the game gave the Rampage a 2–1 lead before the halfway mark of the first. Early scoring continued in the second as Corban Knight’s goal flew past Doug Carr. The Flames were able to cut that lead by a goal heading into the third with Wolf’s second of the night. The pattern continued in the third, as Knight scored once again in the first few minutes of the period, extending the lead to 4-2. Nearly halfway through the period, Quinton Howden scored his second of the season, with Jesse Blacker assisting for the second time that night. The Flames stayed on Michael Houser all night, getting a shorty past him in the 15th minute by Mathieu Tousignant and a goal by Ken Agostino in the 19th minute. Despite the late goals, it wasn’t enough to equalize the game, resulting in the Rampage defeating the Flames for the first (and only) time this season. The victory also meant the Rampage clinched a playoff berth for the fourth time since the 2002 season.
However, the Flames were able to exact their revenge several nights later in a 7–4 victory over the Rampage. The visitors started off scoring early with a goal from Garnet Hathaway in the second minute. Emile Poirier followed it up six minutes later with a power play goal past Sam Brittain, who was making his home debut. Kyle Rau scored his first professional goal nearly five minutes into the second period, assisted by Dany Heatley. However, the Flames’ Hathaway got on the board once again with another power play goal, giving the Flames a 3–1 lead. As the Rampage struggled on the penalty kill that night, Dustin Stevenson extended the lead to 4–1 with an even strength goal two minutes later. After allowing four goals in a little over a period and a half of play, Brittain was replaced by Michael Houser halfway through the second. Blake Parlett scored his ninth of the season in the 14th minute of the middle frame to cut that lead to 4–2. Bobby Butler tried to get the comeback going in the third with a goal, assisted by Corban Knight and Captain Zanon in the 9th minute. However, three goals from the Flames in the final three minutes, including two empty netters, gave the Flames the 7–3 victory. The Rampage were 0 out of 5 on the power play and allowed 35 shots to reach the net.
San Antonio needed to and was able to bounce back on Tuesday night as they headed North to visit the Barons. Kyle Rau scored his second goal for the Rampage with four minutes to go in the first period, assisted by Brett Olson and Mike Matheson, who notched his first point with the assist. The second period was all about Rocco Grimaldi, as he scored two goals in less than two minutes: the first coming in the 13th minute, followed by a power play goal a minute later. Connor Brickley picked up the primary assists on both. Wade Megan extended his point streak to three goals in four games, scoring with less than three minutes to go in the second period. OKC’S Brad Hunt scored the only Barons’ goal of the night a minute into the third, with the rest of the period remaining scoreless.
Impact Players:
Kyle Rau impressed in his AHL debut, picking up two goals in two games. Rau also debuted on the second line, centering Connor Brickley and Dany Heatley. On Tuesday night, Tom Rowe mixed up the lines, with Rau playing at wing on the second line, centered by Olson with Mark Mancari.
Mike Matheson was paired with Jonathan Racine as the third defensive pairing in both games he’s played so far. Matheson picked up his first professional point, assisting on Rau’s second goal.
Despite a quiet past few games, Grimaldi came back big with two goals in under a minute against the Barons. With 14 goals and 28 assists, Grimaldi is having a great rookie season. Despite having been eclipsed by Connor Brickley (21G, 24A) Grimaldi is eighth in the AHL with 42 points, while also having played 7 games with the Panthers in November.
Wade Megan has quietly been improving over the course of the season. The center went 35 games this season without a goal, which finally came on February 22nd against the Wolves and since has picked up 5 goals and 3 assists. His numbers are still behind his production last season (11G, 6A) but he’s made consistent appearances as the fourth line center all season.
Upcoming Games:
The Rampage have a set of back–to–back games this weekend as the Grand Rapids Griffins visit on Friday and Saturday night. The Rampage will finish out the regular season with three games against the Texas Stars, including two at home before ending the season at Cedar Park.
Natalija can be reached for contact on Twitter.
