Photos by Darren Abate
For about 20 minutes and 45 seconds, it looked like more of the same for Rampage fans. Unlucky bounces, bad turnovers, and a lone defensive breakdown had the home team down 2-0 in the first minute of the second period. But for the final 39 minutes and 15 seconds, the Rampage showed an aggressiveness, both offensively and defensively, that is very unfamiliar to Rampage fans. And it came within 3 inches of working, twice.
Chicago jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Corey Locke. A Rampage defensive breakdown led to the 2010-11 Les Cunningham Award winner left Locke unmarked between the circles and he made it count, collecting a rebound and beating Dov Grumet-Morris. The Wolves sustained pressure for much of the first period, but DGM was able to keep them of the scoreboard.
Just 45 seconds into the second period, a terrible turnover by the Rampage defense led to another easy goal for the Wolves. Dmitrij Jaskin collected the errant pass, settled the puck, and fired high over DGM for the 2-0 lead. (I actually believe that the double clutch by Jaskin fooled DGM and didn't help his cause at all. He seemed to have a good angle on the shot, but once Jaskin regrouped, it caught him out of position and Jaskin had a huge hole to shoot at)
The Rampage dialed up the pressure in the second period, but were unable to solve Wolves netminder Jake Allen, who was absolutely locked in all night. At one point, Rampage forward Jon Matsumoto had, what he thought, was a sure goal. Allen, however, denied the veteran scorer with a sprawling behind the back save, keeping the Rampage off the scoresheet.
The third period was absolutely dominated by the Rampage. San Antonio outshot Chicago 15-2 in the final frame and had at least a half a dozen quality chances, including a Jack Combs shot that clanked off the crossbar. Finally, with Joel Edmundson in the box for Hooking, a Colby Robak blast from the point found the back of the net and the Rampage were within one goal with ten minutes left to play.
The final five minutes was played at a frantic pace with the Rampage pushing hard and peppering Allen with shots, but the fourth year pro held his ground and sent the crowd of 5,651 home unhappy.
This game had a playoff atmosphere played between two very good teams. The Rampage got off to a slow start, but were resilient and played with speed and intensity. They have nothing to be ashamed of, though I think they might want to start listening to Rampage coach Peter Horachek a little more often.
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