3-0-1-0 7pts [.875%]
2nd in Pacific Division
GF: 16 GA: 8
Vs.
5-0-0-0 10pts [1.000%]
1st in Central Division
GF: 18 GA: 5
Rampage Leaders
Goals: Andrew Agozzino – 4
Assists: Ben Street – 7
Points: Street – 8
Plus/Minus: Street +5
PIM: Duncan Siemens – 10
Wins: Calvin Pickard – 3
GAA: Pickard – 1.99
Save Pct: Pickard – .938
Reign Leaders
Goals: Michael Mersch – 4
Assists: Sean Backman – 6
Pts: Kris Newbury/Backman – 6
Plus/Minus: Mersch +6
PIM: Ryan Horvat – 17
Wins: Peter Budaj – 5
GAA: Budaj – 0.98
Save Pct: Budaj – .955
Audio: Ticket 760
Video: AHL Live
The San Antonio Rampage make their first trek of the season to the new AHL stomping grounds of southern California to play two games against the defending Calder Cup champion (Manchester Monarchs) Ontario Reign. The Reign have stormed out to a 5-0 record and, along with San Antonio, are the only other team in the league without a regulation loss. The Rampage, meanwhile, are coming off a 5-1 victory over the Stockton Heat in their home opener last Saturday night.
Ontario is led by outstanding special teams play and team defense. The Reign boast the 6th best power play in the league (23.5%) and the second best penalty kill, killing all but one power play chance against (96.2%). The defending champs are also superb at shot suppression, limiting opponents to a league low 22.2 shots per game. Goaltender Peter Budaj has been terrific through five games at turning away those shots that do make it through the defense, stopping 106 of 111 shots faced.
Notes:
- All Rampage skaters are healthy and skated this morning in preparation for tonight’s game, including leading goal scorer Andrew Agozzino. Agozzino, however, is not 100% and will miss at least tonight’s game.
- Following this weekend’s tilt with Ontario, the Rampage will head to San Diego to face off against old friend Shane O’Brien and the Gulls on Tuesday evening.
- The rival Texas Stars have a division best 11 points so far, yet their .688 points percentage is good for just 4th. A fair indication of how tough the division is and how weird it will be this season to pay no attention to points column for the first time in…ever.
After this week’s trip to California, the Rampage will return home for their first “three-in-three” of the 2015-2016 season. The Chicago Wolves come to town for games on Friday and Sunday sandwiched around another trip up to Cedar Park to take on the aforementioned Stars. As usual, all action can be heard on Ticket 760 with Dan Weiss at the controls.