AHL Western Conference Playoffs: Rampage vs. Wolves Preview

San Antonio Rampage

41-30-3-2 (87 Pts)

6th in Western Conf.

3rd in West Division

2011/12 Record vs. Chicago: 4-0-0-0

 Vs.        

                                          

Chicago Wolves

42-27-4-3 (91 Pts)

3rd in Western Conf. 

Midwest Division Champions 

2011/12 vs. San Antonio: 0-3-0-1

Schedule:

Game 1- 4/19: Chi @ SA 7:00pm CDT

Game 2- 4/21: Chi @ SA 7:00pm CDT

Game 3- 4/24: SA @ Chi 7:00pm CDT 

Game 4*- 4/25: SA @ Chi 7:00pm CDT

Game 5*- 4/27: SA @ Chi 7:00pm CDT

* = if necessary

Season series: 

Oct 8: SA-3 Chi-2 S/O

Nov 19: SA-4 Chi-3

Feb 29: SA-2 Chi-1

Apr 12: SA-2 Chi-1

Home team in bold.

 

 For the 3rd time in franchise history, the San Antonio Rampage will take part in the Calder Cup playoffs. In 2003, the franchise's first season in the league, the Rampage made the playoffs as a 6th seed, but were swept out of the first round by the Norfolk Admirals. Five seasons later, the Rampage would make the playoffs for the second time and face the Toronto Marlies in a hard fought 7 game series. The Rampage would lose game 7 in Toronto on a heartbreaking goal in the final minute of a tie game.

 This season, the Rampage will try to make it out of the first round for the first time in history. They will face Midwest Division champion Chicago in the best of five series. The Rampage went 4-0 on the season against the Wolves, winning every game by a single goal. 

 Chicago goalie Eddie Lack has started every game vs the Rampage going 0-4 but allowing just 10 goals in those four games. At the other end, Jacob Markstrom has started the last two games vs the Wolves and has put up stellar numbers. Markstrom is 2-0 with a 1.00 GAA and a .967 GAA.

 Scott Timmins was the leading scorer in the season series for the Rampage, scoring 1 goal and adding 3 assists in four games. For Chicago, Rampage killer Darren Haydar led the Wolves with 1 goal and 3 assists. Conversely, Chicago's leading scorer Mark Mancari was held scoreless and put up a -7 in the series.

Doom if:  Markstrom loses any focus whatsoever. The Wolves are a dangerous offensive team. They are also good defensively and stellar in net with Lack and Climie backing up. The margin for error will be zero

Glee if:   The Rampage can somehow find their power play this week. The Wolves PP is slightly better than San Antonio's, but their PK is one of the best in the league. If they can get some goals with the man advantage, they will be playing with house money.

Prediction:  Rampage split the two at home, then split games 3 and 4. It comes down to game 5 and they squeak out another gut churning one goal victory on the shoulders of Jacob Markstrom and the defense. Rampage in 5.