2-0-1-0 5pts [.833%]
3rd in Pacific Division
GF: 11 GA: 7
Vs.
2-1-0-0 4pts [.667%]
5th in Central Division
GF: 9 GA: 4
Rampage Leaders
Goals: Andrew Agozzino – 4
Assists: Ben Street – 6
Points: Agozzino/Street – 7
PIM: Andreas Martinsen – 6
GAA: Calvin Pickard – 2.32
Save Pct: Pickard – .933
Heat Leaders
Goals: Derek Grant – 3
Assists: Ken Agostino – 4
Pts: Agostino – 4
PIM: Emile Poirier – 6
GAA: Jon Gillies – 1.34
Save Pct: Gillies – .950
Audio: Ticket 760
Video: AHL Live
After two dreadfully long weeks, the Rampage finally open the home portion of their season against the Stockton Heat. The Rampage return home after sweeping Grand Rapids last weekend in West Michigan and collecting five out of six possible standings points in their first three games. The Heat, meanwhile, come in after shutting out the powerful Texas Stars in Cedar Park on Wednesday night, picking up their second win of the season, both shutouts.
The Rampage will have some lineup changes since they last played a week ago. Both 18 year old rookie phenom Mikko Rantanen and 23 year old second year player Borna Rendulic will draw in to the lineup for the home team tonight. Rendulic played in 26 games with the Lake Erie Monsters last season collecting four goals and adding four assists. This will be Rantanen’s first AHL appearance.
The Heat are led by former Rampage centerman Drew Shore and almost Rampage winger Freddie Hamilton, who was traded just days before training camp started. Rookie goaltender Jon Gillies has been superb in net, playing all three games and earning both shutout wins.
Notes:
- Rampage leading goal scorer Andrew Agozzino will miss tonight’s contest with an undisclosed upper body injury. According to Dan Weiss, it is not believed to be serious and he is day-to-day.
- The Heat will also be without their leading goal scorer as Derek Grant was recalled to Calgary this afternoon.
- Goaltender Karri Ramo recently made it through waivers and was assigned to Stockton. Ramo–and his $3.8M salary–hasn’t seen AHL action since 2009 with Norfolk.
- Neither team skated on the brand new ice this morning, so lines and pairings will be figured out during warmups. Follow Dan Weiss on twitter for lineup updates before gametime.
The Rampage play a single game this weekend before making their first trip out to California next weekend to face the defending Calder Cup Champs in Ontario on Friday and Saturday. They will then make the trek to San Diego to take on the Gulls on Tuesday before returning home on Nov. 6th to play the Chicago Wolves.