Gameday! Rampage @ Lake Erie Nov. 30th 6:30pm CST

San Antonio Rampage

5-10-0-3 13 Pts 15th in Western Conf.

Last game: Defeated Rochester (4-2) on Nov. 28th

Leaders:
Goals: J.Rheault - 6
Assists: D.Shore/Rheault - 10
Points: Rheault- 16
+/-: 3 players w/ - +2
PIM: E.Selleck - 79

Wins: Markstrom - 3
GAA: DGM - 2.46
Save %: DGM - .921
Shutouts: DGM - 2

AT

Lake Erie Monsters

10-7-1-1 22 Pts 6th in Western Conf.

Last game: Defeated Hamilton (4-1) on Nov. 25th

Leaders:
Goals: M.Sgarbossa/B.Lerg - 8
Assists: T.Pock - 11
Points: Sgarbossa - 17
+/-: A.Agozzino - +9
PIM: P.Bordeleau - 63

Wins: S.Aittokallio/C.Pickard - 5
GAA: Aittokallio - 2.54
Save %: Aittokallio - .917
Shutouts: Pickard - 2

Nov 30th 6:30pm CST

Quicken Loans Arena

Cleveland, OH

Radio: Ticket 760

The Rampage needed a change. After losing eight straight games, seven on home ice, Chuck Weber and Mike Santos got together and made a few moves. For at least one night, the message was sent and received. With veterans Casey Wellman and Andre Deveaux watching in suits as healthy scratches, the Rampage played a defensive and high energy 60 minutes and won for the first time in 24 days, beating Rochester 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Now the Rampage head to Cleveland to see if that effort can carry over for two games in less than 24 hours vs. the Monsters. The Monsters are led by rookie Mike Sgarbossa who is 2nd in the AHL in rookie scoring (8-9-17) and a pair of very good offensive d-men in Tyson Barrie (5-10-15) and Thomas Pock (3-11-14). They also feature a pair of familiar faces to Rampage fans. Both Bill Thomas and Sean Sullivan had two separate stints in our fair city. Now, the once fan favorites will don the opposition's jersey as the enemy. Both have struggled with their new team, but as any die-hard Rampage fan can tell you, they are playing against us, so you can expect at least one of them to get on the scoresheet.

The Monsters rely on a pair of rookies to mind the net. Newcomer Sami Aitokallio has been impressive this season and finds himself in the top 10 goalies in the league. Splitting time with Aitokallio is Calvin Pickard, younger brother of former Milwaukee Admiral and Cincinnati Cyclone, Chet.

I will be interested to see if Weber sticks with the same lineup for tonight's game or if he works in one of the vets. If it were me, I stick with what worked until they show me they can't get it done. Sorry Casey. Sorry Andre. You guys should've been better.

News and Notes:

• Jonathan Hazen picked up his first point of the season on the Rampage's first goal on Wednesday. Hazen made an initial nice play to keep the puck in the offensive zone, then made a nifty backhand pass between defenders to Wright along the end boards who, in turn, fed Rallo for the one timer. A very pretty play all set up by Hazen's awareness and nifty stick work.
• If you listened to the game, or have been on Twitter at all since Wednesday, you've certainly heard about Jon Rheault's highlight spin-o-rama pass to Jacques for the 4th goal. If you haven't seen it, go to www.ahllive.com, click on highlights, and select the Rampage game. It's at the 1:40 mark.
• While you're there, check out the Chicago Wolves second goal. It deservedly made the Top 10 plays on Sportscenter.
• The assists on the Caruso goal, originally credited to Rheault and Shore, then taken away, have rightfully been restored.
• Reminder that tomorrow's game is a rare Noon Saturday start time. Probably won't have a separate gameday post for that one.

Another early game time, so tune in early so you don't miss any of Dan Weiss' call. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Look for 1Q Grades sometime around gametime tomorrow (12pm CST).