AHL San Antonio Rampage

Rampage Come Up Short, Series Tied

Published on April 24, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The Phoenix Coyotes' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, dropped Game 4 of their Calder Cup Playoff series with the Toronto Marlies by a 3-2 score. Arizona native David Spina's goal with 8.8 seconds left in regulation brought the Rampage within one, but the Marlies held on for a 3-2 victory and tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece Wednesday night at the AT&T Center.

http://stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1004722

A fluke goal early in the opening period proved to be costly for the Rampage.

As Keith Yandle (5-7-12 in 43 games for Phoenix this season) tried to swat the puck away from goaltender Josh Tordjman's (Signed as a free agent by Phoenix on 7/2/06) vicinity, it deflected off captain Bryan Helmer's skate and into the Rampage net. The goal was officially credited to Toronto center John Mitchell, his second of the series. The Marlies have tallied the game-opening goal in three of the four contests.

The Rampage fought back to even the score with Steven Goertzen's first playoff goal right off the bat in the second period.

Chris Durno created a turnover near the red-line right in front of the Rampage bench and skipped the puck along the wall to Cam Paddock. As he skated in, Paddock split the defense with a seeing-eye pass to Goertzen, who tapped the puck home for the equalizer just 1:43 into the middle stanza. All three recorded their first points of the series.

Toronto regained the lead with their first power-play marker of the series, coming from Michel Leveille at 15:17 of the second period. The Rampage killed off all 22 Toronto power-plays in the series until Leveille's score. It was also the first power-play marker of the season for Toronto against San Antonio. The Rampage have killed off 33-of-34 Marlies' man-advantage situations during the 2007-08 campaign.

An empty-netter from Toronto defenseman Chris Harrington at 19:22 preceded Spina's marker.

Spina's goal was assisted by Matt Murley (0-1-1 in 3 games with Phoenix this season) and Brendan Bell (2 games with Phoenix this season). The helper extended Murley's point streak to seven games (five goals, four assists), tying a Rampage high this season. Murley, playing in his 50th Calder Cup Playoffs match, and Bell each have tallied points in all four games of the series thus far, with Bell leading the charge for the Rampage with six in all.

With each team scoring in the second period, the Rampage maintained their six-goal margin during the middle frame (10-4). The Rampage outshot Toronto, 36-33, and have accomplished the feat in each game so far.

Josh Tordjman came up with 30 saves for the Rampage on 32 shots. Toronto's Scott Clemmensen finished with 34 saves.

The Rampage hold a 143-121 shot advantage in the series. Durno played in his 50th professional playoff game.

A pivotal Game 5 is marked for 7 p.m. Friday night at the AT&T Center. Coming off the heels of their first playoff victories ever, the San Antonio Rampage are pleased to announce another first -- $1 Night -- this Friday. Fans will be able to stretch their dollar on $1 draft beer, $1 fountain soft drinks, $1 hot dogs and $1 popcorn while watching heart-pounding AHL Calder Cup Playoff action. The $1 concession items will be available until the start of the third period.

Coyotes Prospects Game 4 Highlights:

Brendan Bell - 1 assist

Enver Lisin - 3 SOG

Matt Murley - 1 assist

Bill Thomas - 2 SOG

Kevin Porter - 2 SOG

Chad Kolarik - 3 SOG

Logan Stephenson - +1 rating

Josh Tordjman - 30 saves

Check out the San Antonio Rampage Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from April 24, 2008


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