Gameday! Rampage vs. Lake Erie: Jan 10th 7:00pm

San Antonio Rampage

15-18-0-4 34 Pts 13th in Western Conf.

Last game: Defeated Peoria (5-2) on Jan. 6th

Leaders:
Goals: G.Rallo - 13
Assists: D.Shore- 18
Points: Rheault- 27
+/-: A.Petrovic- +7
PIM: E.Selleck - 144
Wins: Markstrom - 11
GAA: DGM - 2.46
Save %: DGM - .918
Shutouts: DGM/Markstrom - 2

Team Stats (league rank):
Goals/game: 2.54 (21st)
Goals allowed/game: 2.81 (15th)
Power Play: 13.1% (26th)
Penalty Kill: 85.5% (6th)

Vs.

Lake Erie Monsters

18-15-2-1 39 Pts 8th in Western Conf.

Last game: Defeated Hamilton (3-2 in shootout) on Jan 5th.

Leaders:
Goals: M.Sgarbossa - 13
Assists: T.Barrie - 21
Points: Sgarbossa/A.Agozzino - 28
+/-: A.Agozzino - +11
PIM: P.Bordeleau - 91
Wins: S.Aittokallio/C.Pickard - 9
GAA: Pickard - 2.85
Save %: Pickard - .909
Shutouts: Pickard - 3

Team Stats (league rank):
Goals/Game: 3.08 (9th)
Goals allowed/Game: 3.17 (28th)
Power Play: 16.9% (14th)
Penalty Kill: 81.8% (20th)

Jan 10th 7:00pm CST

ATT Center

San Antonio, TX

Radio: Ticket 760

  The Rampage open up a crucial "3 in 3" with the first of two home meeting against the Lake Erie Monsters. The Monsters currently sit 5 points clear of the Rampage for the 8th and final playoff spot with a game still in hand.

  The Monsters, and former Rampage players Bill Thomas and Sean Sullivan, come into town with the league's 9th best offensive attack. Led by rookies Mike Sgarbossa and Andrew Agozzino up front and Avs prospect Tyson Barrie on defense, the Monsters are a dangerous offensive team. They are, however, suspect on defense and more importantly, in goal. After a hot start, rookie goalie Sami Aittokallio has come back to earth and youngster Calvin Pickard, despite his 3 shutouts, has a 2.85 GAA in 20 games.

  Again, the key tonight will be keeping the Monsters off the scoresheet early. Only Syracuse and Toronto, the #1 and #2 teams in the AHL have more points after scoring the first goal of the game. The Monsters have done so in 19 of 36 games and are 14-3-2 in those contests.

  Ironically, desopite the success of the Monsters when scoring first, they also lead the AHL in goals surrendered in the 3rd period (47). If the Rampage can stay out of the penalty box and keep their successful home offense going, these two games are theirs to lose.

  With the NHL lockout over, the Rampage could possibly see up to 5 players make their way to Florida for an abbreviated training camp. So this weekend is huge, especially the two home games which figure to see a full lineup before players leave on Saturday.


News and Notes:
- Kevin Dineen stated in an interview, he expects to see 3-5 players come up for training camp. Markstrom, Strachan and Shore are locks. I also wouldn't be surprised to see one more forward go up for depth. Of those, only Strachan is a lock to stay up once the season begins. However, depending on injuries, Shore could stay up as well.
- Tyson Strachan had a good week of practice and is ready to play. Whether he does, still remains to be seen.
- Andre Deveaux, meanwhile, appears to be completely disengaged from the team, both coaches and teammates. I wouldn't be surprised if he was shipped out as soon as the CBA gets ratified.