Rampage "3 Stars of the Week" Jan 20th - 26th

 

 Photo by Darren Abate

Sunday’s remarkable and unlikely come from behind win over the defending Calder Cup champs -- and top team in the Western Conference -- Grand Rapids salvaged what was shaping up to be a disastrous weekend in San Antonio.

After losing consecutive games, one in the shootout and the other in OT, to the Iowa Wild, the Rampage erased a 5-2 deficit to the Griffins to earn a necessary two points on Sunday and four out of a possible six for the weekend.

I’m still riding high on the emotion of yesterday’s win, so forgive the possible hyperbole, but for me, that win was the biggest regular season win in team history. To be completely overmatched for 20 minutes (the second period) against a VERY good team, then tilt the ice back in your favor and end up winning, could be seen as a turning point to this season.

San Antonio Rampage “Three Stars of the Week” for the week ending January 26th:

Photo by Darren Abate

1^st Star: John McFarland (3GP  3G-1A-4pts  9 SOG    +2)

McFarland was the hero for the Rampage on Sunday scoring both the tying goal late in the 3^rd and the OT winner with just 15 seconds left. He also added an assist in the contest. McFarland has the speed and the shot to be a dangerous weapon. Once he learns the game at the AHL level better, he’ll be a solid contributor for the Rampage.

 Photo by Darren Abate

2^nd Star: Colby Robak  (3GP  1G-1A-2pts  4 SOG  +5)

Robak has been in and out of my doghouse this season. While always a threat offensively, his defense has struggled at times. Not this week. With the exception of a breakdown on Iowa’s first goal Friday night, Colby was outstanding for the weekend in all three zones. He was responsible defensively and even flashed a physical presence from time to time.

Photo by Darren Abate

3^rd Star: Jed Ortmeyer (2GP  2G-1A-2pts  7 SOG  +1)

Ortmeyer got the Rampage going on Sunday scoring two first period goals and was inches away from tying the game with about 3 minutes left in regulation and earning a hat trick. Jed played like a madman in that 3^rd period, winning battles, playing physical, and pumping shots at the Griffins net.

Honorable Mention: Ryan Whitney (3GP  0G-3A-3Pts  5 SOG  +2)

Whitney will not wow with his defense and footspeed. But he’s been very consistent offensively and was solid all weekend in his own zone. Whitney has been the occasional healthy scratch within the last few weeks, and with the return of Alex Petrovic, it will be interesting to see how Tom Rowe handles his blue line in the coming weeks.

Three Stars Season Standings
T-1. Vincent Trocheck - 3
T-1. Bobby Butler - 3
T-1. Jed Ortmeyer - 3
T-2. Garrett Wilson - 2 
T-2. Jacob Markstrom - 2
T-2. Jared Gomes - 2
T-2. Denny Urban - 2
T-2. Greg Rallo - 2
T-2. Drew Shore - 2
T-2. Matt Gilroy - 2
T-3. Quinton Howden - 1
T-3. Michael Houser - 1
T-3. Steve Pinizzotto - 1
T-3. Dov-Grumet-Morris - 1
T-3. Jon Matsumoto - 1
T-3. Doug Janik - 1
T-3. Colby Robak - 1

News and Notes:

- The Rampage head up the road to CPC for a mid-week battle against the Texas Stars. Any kind of point whatsoever is a win at this juncture.

- Jared Gomes is out for a couple of weeks with an undisclosed injury

- Some have speculated that Michael Caruso was seen with crutches. I cannot confirm any injury for Caruso with the team at this point.

- Alex Petrovic was reassigned on Sunday from Florida. The already deep Rampage blue line just got even more crowded.

- IMO, Tom Rowe made absolutely the right call by leaving Markstrom in after the 4th and 5th Griffins goals. The team needed a wake up call that they weren't getting it done. Pulling Markstrom would have deflected all the blame to him and it would've been easy for the team to quit.

- Pink in the Rink is this Friday. If you don't have tickets, you might want to get on that. This event is becoming a sell out type of event.