San Antonio Rampage
9-11-0-0 11th Place- Western Conf. (18 pts)
Last game: Defeated Abbotsford 3-1 on Nov. 27th
Last game: Defeated Abbotsford 3-1 on Nov. 27th
Leaders:
Goals: B.Thomas -6
Assists: C.Robak -8
Pts: Robak -13
+/-: C.Robak - +13
PIM: E. Selleck -66
Wins: J.Markstrom -3
GAA: D.Grumet-Morris -.050
Save%: GFrumet-Morris -.981
Right out of the gate, I apologize for the lack of activity on this here blog. I started school 3 nights per week back on Nov. 7th and this, combined with working full time, being a dad, and just having a general lack of enthusiasm about this team in November led to an off month. Again, I'm sorry and I hope it won't happen again. Chances are, you all didn't really want to read my thoughts about this season anyway. I am a naturally negative person regarding sports, finding things to nitpick in even positive situations, and this blog would have been a rant filled nightmare.Now...on with the shewwwwwww...
The Rampage finish up their first extended road trip of the season tonight against the AHL's best squad of this early season. So far, the Rampage have managed a respectable 4-2 record thus far on the trip. A win tonight against the red hot Barons makes the trip an overwhelming success. A loss, and us Rampage fans still can't be too disappointed considering the circumstances (more on that later).
Jacob Markstrom, recently re-assigned by the Panthers, will get the start in goal tonight for the Rampage. Recently signed Dov Grumet-Morris will get the nod tomorrow at home, and the more impressive goalie will earn the spot for Tuesday's home date with Houston. Grumet-Morris was outstanding over the weekend in British Columbia picking up both wins and allowing just one goal on 52 shots. If DGM can continue playing solidly in net, the competition can be nothing but good for the Rampage. I have no basis for the following comment and I could be way off, but in my opinion, Markstrom may have been a little unfocused in his first stint with the Rampage. Brian Foster isn't exactly an AHL level goalie yet and with DGM pushing Markstrom, maybe his focus will sharpen and we will see the goalie that, many believe, is the best goalie prospect in the world.
Now, that said, the defense needs to be better in front of Jacob. Also, the Rampage absolutely have to stop taking so many penalties. The PK has been terrible all season and currently rank dead last in the league on the PK at just 73.1% (They also rank dead last on the PP at 10%, which is pathetic) Conversely, the Barons rank 7th in the league on the Power Play, so staying out of the box the next two nights is going to be the difference.
This Rampage team looks quite a bit different than the team that left San Antonio over two weeks ago. The following players are either injured or have been called up to Florida:
G.Rallo (inj)
S.Timmins (inj)
A.Esposito (inj)
B.Kearns (Fla)
T.Kennedy (Fla)
M.Cullen (Fla)
This means that guys like Bill Thomas and recently returned Michael Repik are going to have to really step it up offensively. It also means we are going to get to witness a little bit of the future with youngsters like Garrett Wilson and Jonathan Hazen seeing significant ice time. Finally, veterans Evan Barlow and David Marshall have to continue their strong play of late. With a strong goaltending tandem and an improving defense, I think this team can weather the storm...temporarily. If the injuries, both in San Antonio and Florida, continue to mount though, we could have some serious issues very soon.
It's been a long month of minimal hockey and I'm ready to get back to the old barn. I will see all of you tomorrow. Until then, LETS GO RAMPAGE!!
AT
Oklahoma City Barons
15-5-0-1 1st Place- Western Conf. (31 pts)
Last game: Defeated Grand Rapids 5-4 on Nov. 27th.
Last game: Defeated Grand Rapids 5-4 on Nov. 27th.
Leaders:
Goals: P.Cornet -15
Assists: R.Keller/M.Arcobello -11
Pts: P.Cornet -18
+/-: A.Plante -+13
PIM: A. Plante -52
Wins: Y.Danis -10
Wins: Y.Danis -10
GAA: D. Leneveau - 2.10
The Rampage finish up their first extended road trip of the season tonight against the AHL's best squad of this early season. So far, the Rampage have managed a respectable 4-2 record thus far on the trip. A win tonight against the red hot Barons makes the trip an overwhelming success. A loss, and us Rampage fans still can't be too disappointed considering the circumstances (more on that later).
Jacob Markstrom, recently re-assigned by the Panthers, will get the start in goal tonight for the Rampage. Recently signed Dov Grumet-Morris will get the nod tomorrow at home, and the more impressive goalie will earn the spot for Tuesday's home date with Houston. Grumet-Morris was outstanding over the weekend in British Columbia picking up both wins and allowing just one goal on 52 shots. If DGM can continue playing solidly in net, the competition can be nothing but good for the Rampage. I have no basis for the following comment and I could be way off, but in my opinion, Markstrom may have been a little unfocused in his first stint with the Rampage. Brian Foster isn't exactly an AHL level goalie yet and with DGM pushing Markstrom, maybe his focus will sharpen and we will see the goalie that, many believe, is the best goalie prospect in the world.
Now, that said, the defense needs to be better in front of Jacob. Also, the Rampage absolutely have to stop taking so many penalties. The PK has been terrible all season and currently rank dead last in the league on the PK at just 73.1% (They also rank dead last on the PP at 10%, which is pathetic) Conversely, the Barons rank 7th in the league on the Power Play, so staying out of the box the next two nights is going to be the difference.
This Rampage team looks quite a bit different than the team that left San Antonio over two weeks ago. The following players are either injured or have been called up to Florida:
G.Rallo (inj)
S.Timmins (inj)
A.Esposito (inj)
B.Kearns (Fla)
T.Kennedy (Fla)
M.Cullen (Fla)
This means that guys like Bill Thomas and recently returned Michael Repik are going to have to really step it up offensively. It also means we are going to get to witness a little bit of the future with youngsters like Garrett Wilson and Jonathan Hazen seeing significant ice time. Finally, veterans Evan Barlow and David Marshall have to continue their strong play of late. With a strong goaltending tandem and an improving defense, I think this team can weather the storm...temporarily. If the injuries, both in San Antonio and Florida, continue to mount though, we could have some serious issues very soon.
It's been a long month of minimal hockey and I'm ready to get back to the old barn. I will see all of you tomorrow. Until then, LETS GO RAMPAGE!!
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