Rampage Earn First Win: Defeat IceHogs

Photos by Darren Abate

In the 2012/13 season, the San Antonio Rampage registered less than 21 shots on goal in a game 11 times. Last night, the Rampage equaled that number after 20 minutes of play. The new aggressive offensive system, employed by new head coach Pete Horachek, eventually paid dividends as the Rampage defeated Rockford 3-1 behind solid goaltending from NHL veteran Scott Clemmensen and two Jon Matsumoto goals.

In the 5th minute of the first period, IceHogs rookie goaltender Antii Raanta took a hard one-timer off the inside of his left leg. After trying to play through the pain, Raanta had to eventually leave the game less than a minute later and was replaced by this blogger's 2nd star of the game Kent Simpson. Simpson, like Chicago goalie Jake Allen the night before, was spectacular for the IceHogs. Despite a 21-8 shot advantage, the Rampage were held scoreless and went to the first intermission tied at zero.

It didn't take long for the Rampage to break the tie, however, as Jon Matsumoto took a brilliant cross-ice pass from defenseman Colby Robak and deposited the puck into the wide open net. The Rampage continued to dominate the game, once again outshooting Rockford 18-7 and took the slim one goal advantage into the second intermission.

Exactly one minute into the third period, however, Rockford would solve Clemmensen and score on a pretty wrap-around by rookie Alex Broadhurst for his first professional goal and a 1-1 tie. After some back and forth action, and some pressure from the Hogs, the Rampage finally got a little bit of "puck luck" and, once again, Jon Matsumoto was the beneficiary. Matsumoto gathered at bouncing puck off of a Quinton Howden shot and beat Kent Simpson for his second of the night. Alex Petrovic would add an empty netter from his own blue line and the Rampage held on to win 3-1 in front of a LOUD crowd of 5,455.

Notes:
- The win ended an 11 game losing streak dating back to Mar. 30th (3-0 @ CHA)
- Two of the Four Rampage goals have been scored on the PP (2-11)
- The Rampage remain perfect on the PK (7-7)
- The 56 SOG against Rockford is a new franchise record (55 vs HOU in 2010)

The Rampage now head out to Chicago for back-to-back contests with the Wolves on Saturday and Sunday. After next weekend, the two teams will meet only one more time this season , a home contest in Dec.