Gameday! Rampage @ Texas 11/15/12 7:30PM

 

San Antonio Rampage

4-6-0-1 (9pts) 13th in Western Conf.

Last game: Lost (7-5) vs. HOU on 11/13

Leaders

Goals: J.Rheault - 5

Assists: D.Shore - 7

Points: D.Shore - 9

+/-: M.Caruso - +3

PIM: E.Selleck - 32

Wins: J.Markstrom/D.Grumet-Morris - 2

GAA: Grumet-Morris -  2.16

Save %: Grumet-Morris - .929

Shutouts: Grumet-Morris - 2

AT

Texas Stars

4-6-0-1 (9Pts) 14th in Western Conf.

Last game: Won (4-2) @ HOU on 11/11

Leaders

Goals: C.Eakin - 6

Assists: T.Vincour - 6

Points: Eakin/Vincour - 9

+/-: Eakin/Vincour - +4

PIM: A.Roussel - 49

Wins: C.Nilstorp/J.Campbell - 2

GAA: Nilstorp - 3.20

Save %: Nilstorp - .870

Shutouts - None

Nov. 15th, 2012 7:30PM CST

Cedar Park Center

Cedar Park, TX

Radio: Ticket760

   Something has to give.

   In their last three contests in Cedar Park, the Texas Stars are winless. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Rampage have gone four straight games on the road without a win to open the season. One of those streaks will end tonight as the Rampage will make the 3 hour*, 100 mile trip to Cedar Park to take on the Stars.

   The Rampage are coming off two fairly terrible games on home ice that saw the team give up roughly 35% of their season total in goals allowed in those two games. After Toronto scored five goals Saturday night, the Rampage chased the Aeros around the ATT Center ice on Tuesday morning, allowing seven more in a 7-5 loss.

   Things won’t be any easier tonight for the silver and black. The CPC has been a house of horrors for the Rampage since it opened in 2009. The Rampage are 4-5-7-1 (4-13 for those of us anti-loser points types) all-time in Cedar Park, including several tear-out-your-heart-and-show-it-to-you games that would see the Stars tie the game in the final minutes and add an OT game winner not long after. The key tonight will be for the Rampage to strike early and get a lead. The Stars have only scored the first goal three times this season, but are 3-0 when they do so. Also, let’s be frank, the Rampage are built to hold a lead, not to overcome one.

   The penalty kill could play a factor in tonight’s game. The Rampage have allowed just one goal on the PK in 16 chances on the road this season. Texas, on the other hand, has allowed a whopping nine power play goals in 28 chances (32.1%) on home ice.

   The Stars do have a distinct advantage other than home-ice tonight as they allow just 25 shots per game, good for 2nd in the AHL. And we all know the troubles the Rampage have had putting the puck on net. Through 11 games, they are dead last in the AHL averaging just 23.6 shots per game.

News and Notes

• Cody Eakin and Jon Rheault are tied for the league lead with 2 SHG each 
• Drew Shore has made it to the front page of the rookie scoring leaders with 2-7-9pts. That also leads the team.
• Dov Grumet-Morris allowed 7 goals on Tuesday morning. He had allowed 6 goals total in his previous 5 games.
• JF Jacques is in a walking boot and looks to be out for 2-3 weeks.
• No planned call ups, for now, to replace Jacques. The Rampage have 12 healthy forwards and will roll with that until another injury pops up.
• Michael Caruso has played in just 4 games, but leads the team with a +3. He hasn’t missed a single beat defensively since returning.

The Rampage return home for a 2 game set with South Division leading Charlotte on Friday and Sunday. Friday is another Dollar Shiner Night. Yes, you can buy other beverages for a dollar, but honestly, why would you?

*Austin traffic is truly one of the worst things on this planet.