AHL San Antonio Rampage

Rampage Fall 2-1 In Milwaukee, Clinch Playoffs

Published on April 6, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


MILWAUKEE - The San Antonio dropped a heated 2-1 contest to the Milwaukee Admirals Sunday afternoon in front of 5,791 at the Bradley Center, but a place in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs was already secured for both sides.

With Houston whitewashing Peoria, 5-0, the Rampage clinched the second playoff berth in franchise history when the score went final during the second period of their game. The only other time the Rampage qualified for the playoffs was 2002-03, the organization's inaugural campaign.

The Rampage (40-26-3-7, 90 points) took two of three from Milwaukee (43-28-4-2, 92 points) over the course of five days, and finished the season 4-2-1-1 against the Admirals.

Milwaukee used fluid perimeter passing on the power play to open up the scoring. John Vigilante, positioned at the top of the point, snapped a shot past Josh Tordjman with 1:57 to go in the first period.

Milwaukee scored again early in the second frame to take a 2-0 lead. Cal O'Reilly picked up his 12th assist of the season-series on Josh Langfeld's goal. O'Reilly is third in the league with 63 assists and fifth with 78 points.

The Rampage quickly cut the lead in half with David Spina's 19th goal of the season. Ryan Caldwell thwarted a clear-out attempt by Milwaukee and stick-handled the puck until his teammates made their way into the zone. Caldwell found Mike Zigomanis atop the left circle, where he fired a shot at the net that Spina tipped by Pekka Rinne at 3:44. Spina has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in the last 12 games and career-highs in goals (19), assists (27) and points (46) this season.

Early penalties in the third period on the Rampage set the tone, and Milwaukee was able to hold on for its second-straight 2-1 win, the other coming Saturday against Houston.

Tordjman turned away 28 of 30 Milwaukee attempts. He has stopped 532 of 578 shots (.920 save-percentage) over the last 24 games he has played. In 22 of his last 27 games, Tordjman has limited the opposition to three goals or less.

Pekka Rinne - the AHL's leading goaltender in wins, games played and minutes - made 20 saves in his 35th victory of the season.

The Rampage are in fifth-place in the AHL West Division, just two points behind Milwaukee and Houston for third. The five seed in the West will cross-over to face the winner of the North Division, the Toronto Marlies. The Chicago Wolves, which have already clinched the West title, will host the fourth-place team in the division. The Rampage have a game in hand on the Admirals. Milwaukee and Houston both punched tickets to the postseason as well with Peoria's loss.

The road trip continues for the Rampage at 7:07 p.m. Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa as they take on the stars. With neither Houston, nor Milwaukee playing that night, the Rampage can create a three-way tie for the third spot with a victory over Iowa. Catch the game live with Joe Dominey calling all the action on The Ticket 760 AM or online with B2 Networks webcast.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2008


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