AHL San Antonio Rampage

Rampage Fall to Texas, 3-0, in Preseason Finale

Published on September 29, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


CEDAR PARK, Texas (September 29, 2013) - Despite outshooting the Texas Stars, 30-23, the San Antonio Rampage fell to the Texas Stars, 3-0, in their second and final preseason game on Sunday at Cedar Park Center. The Rampage earned a 2-1 shootout win over Oklahoma City on Saturday in the club's only other preseason tilt.

The Rampage went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill to improve to a perfect 14-for-14 through the team's two preseason games.

Austin Smith, Justin Mercier, and Brock Montgomery netted the goals for the Stars. Rampage goaltender Michael Houser made 20 saves for San Antonio.

With both teams throwing their weight around early, it was the Stars who were awarded the game's first power play off a Jared Gomes' tripping call. The Rampage were not deterred, however, as Vincent Trocheck had the period's first quality scoring chance just five minutes in. Texas turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Trocheck quickly skated the puck in shorthanded, but lost the handle and Texas goaltender Josh Robinson was able to make the save.

Though Texas saw three power-play opportunities in the first period, the Rampage's penalty kill held fast and both teams went into the room tied at zero.

The Stars got on the board first eight minutes into the second frame. Texas defenseman Cameron Gaunce's initial shot took a big bounce off the end boards, popping back up in the crease, where Austin Smith tapped it into a wide open net to put the Stars up by one at 6:31 of the second period.

While on the penalty kill late in the second period, the Rampage had an excellent opportunity to tie the game. Defenseman John Lee dumped the puck, and a bounce off the boards developed into a 2-on-0 breakaway chance for San Antonio. Logan Shaw was able to walk the puck right in, but was denied by Stars netminder Pat Nagle.

Late in the second, San Antonio was awarded their first power play of the night. Despite getting a few quality scoring chances, the Stars penalty kill kept the game at 1-0 when the buzzer sounded after two.

Texas extended their lead early in the third when Justin Mercier tipped in a shot from the point that snuck past a screened Houser at 4:22.

The Rampage had their final chance of the game when Curtis McKenzie was sent off for roughing, and Houser hustled to the bench to give his team a 6-on-4 advantage for the final two minutes. San Antonio was unable to convert with the two-man advantage and Montgomery sealed the Rampage's fate with an empty netter with 7.6 remaining in regulation.

The two teams combined for 50 penalty minutes on the night, as the third period featured several tussles. San Antonio finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play, while Texas was 0-for-5 with the man advantage.

The Rampage open the regular season with a two-game home stand, hosting the Chicago Wolves on Friday, Oct. 4, and the Rockford IceHogs the following night, Saturday, Oct. 5. Individual and season tickets can be purchased at the AT&T Center Southeast Box Office, by calling a Rampage representative at 210-444-5554, or online at sarampage.com.

Check out the San Antonio Rampage Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central