San Antonio Rampage
14-4-1-0 1st in Western Div. - 29pts
Last game: Defeated Milwaukee (4-3 in shootout) on Nov. 19th
Leaders
Goals: Matt Beaudoin/Alex Picard 9
Assists: Mikkel Boedker 13
Points: Matt Beaudoin 21
+/- : Chris Summers +8
PIM: Ryan Weston 32
Wins: Matt Climie 9
GAA: Climie 2.06
Save %: Climie .935
AT
Houston Aeros
10-8-1-2 4th in Western Div. - 23pts
Last game: Lost (5-3) to Texas on Nov 24th
Leaders
Goals: Petr Kalus/Maxime Noreau 6
Assists: Jarod Palmer/John Disalvatore 9
Points: Palmer/Disalvatore 13
+/- : Palmer +4
PIM: Kalus 45
Wins: Anton Khudobin 6
GAA: Anton Khudobin 2.26
Save % : Khudobin .926
Toyota Center, Houston TX
7:35pm CDT
Radio: Ticket 760 AM
www.ticket760.com
My apologies for the lack of posts lately. I could come up with a plethora of excuses. However, I'm sure you don't want to read about my laziness, which is ultimately what it comes down to.
The Rampage head to Houston tonight to battle the Aeros for the first of a 3 in 3 that will see the team travel to Cedar Park tomorrow night, then come home Sunday for a matinee rematch of last Friday's insanely exciting shootout victory over Milwaukee.
First, injury news. Jonas Ahnelov and Alexandre Picard still aren't skating at practice with what the team labels, "undisclosed upper body injuries". What started out as what we all thought was a minor injury for Picard has turned into something we need to keep a bit more of an eye on. Ahnelov hasn't played since Nov 9th vs OKC and doesn't appear to be returning any time soon. Tough guy, Eric Neilson is also out and his return is unknown.
Andrew Ebbett is back at practice and should be back in the lineup tonight after missing 5 games. Tim Stapleton was missing from practice Wednesday and his status is unknown.
The team continues to impress with it's chemistry and resiliency. Every other Rampage team I have seen would have folded up shop after giving up a 2 goal lead in 5 minutes. Instead, the Rampage stuck with the plan and it paid off. And it looks like these guys are having fun with each other. The bust their butts at practice, but they have fun doing it. Just really fun to watch this team start to gel.
There have been some questions about the AHL veterans rule and how it affects the Rampage. Well here goes my very elementary explanation. An AHL team can only dress 5 veterans per night, a veteran being a player who has played in over 260 games in the AHL, NHL, or Euro Premier Leagues. Veteran rules do NOT apply to goalies. Last year, the AHL added the "Veteran Exempt" rule. In this case, if a player has played in more than 260, but less then 320 professional games, they may be added as a 6th veteran. But a team must dress 12 "non-veterans", unless there are less than 18 skaters dressed.
So, how do the Rampage fit in? Here is the listing of Rampage veterans and the number of professional games played:
Bracken Kearns: 278
Tim Stapleton: 292
*Andrew Ebbett: 300
Alexandre Picard: 332
Ryan Hollweg: 412
Jed Ortmeyer: 452
Garrett Stafford: 518
In addition Nolan Yonkman is a vet sitting at 475 games played. So, as you can see, the team is fine right now with 4 full vets and 2 "veteran exempt" vets in Kearns and Stapleton. However, if Yonkman were to return from Phoenix, someone would have to sit every game.
*Edit: I left off Ebbett from this list. He has now been added. With Picard's injury, things are cut and dry. As soon as he is healthy, decisions will have to be made.
Good luck to the guys tonight in Houston. See you all at the rink and LET'S GO RAMPAGE!!!
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