AHL San Antonio Rampage

Rampage Game Day

January 4, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


A reminder that today's road game against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks can be heard on KSJL 92.5 FM/810 AM beginning at 2:05 p.m. (CST). Log on to www.sarampage.com/box040104.shtml for real-time coverage and period-by-period recaps.

Today's Game...

Tonight marks the second road game of 2004 for San Antonio as they conclude a two-game series with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...The Rampage (14-12-4-0; 32 pts.) close the weekend series two points ahead of the Mighty Ducks (12-16-5-1; 30 pts.)—who sit in last place with Utah in the West Division...San Antonio, who's won two of their last six road games, enter tonight's competition with their 12th road game of the season—the fewest in the AHL...The game marks the third game in as many nights for the Rampage, who are 1-3-1-0 in their last five games and own the fewest road wins (tied, several) in the AHL with a 4-5-2-0 road record...Following tonight's game, the Rampage will begin a five-game homestand on Thur., Jan. 8 with Worcester.

Against Cincinnati Mighty Ducks: Tonight's contest marks the fifth meeting (of eight) between the Rampage and the Mighty Ducks, with tonight's match being the third trip to the Cincinnati Gardens on the season...The Rampage are 3-1-0-0 against the Mighty Ducks and are 1-1-0-0 at Cincinnati Gardens this season...Yesterday, the Rampage won, 5-4, in overtime to defeat Cincinnati, their first since Jan. 19, 2003 (4-1 w).

Game Notes... GOAL ORIENTED: The Rampage rank 7th in the AHL in goals for per game, accounting for a 2.70 average (81 GF in 30 GP).

TREMONDOUS TWO'S: The Rampage have an awesome track record when heading into the third period with a lead. The Rampage have an undefeated 9-0-1-0 record when leading after two periods. In fact, the Rampage also own an impressive 12-4-0-0 record when scoring the game's first goal.

VERSUS THE WEST DIVISION: Tonight's game against Cincinnati will be the 24th game against a team in the West Division. To date, the Rampage are 10-9-4-0 against West Division teams (vs CHI: 1-1-1; vs CIN: 3-1-0; vs GRA: 1-1-1; vs HOU: 1-2-1;

vs MIL: 1-3-0; vs UTA: 3-1-1)

BACK IT UP: So far this season, the Rampage have played one set (of 10) of three-games in three-nights sessions and are 2-3-0-0 continuing with tonight's set with Cincinnati. San Antonio has played five back-to-back sets (of 12 for the season) with a 4-7-1-0 record.

MAKING THEIR POINTS: Defenseman Kristian Kudroc recorded his first point (assist) of the season in his first game with the Rampage on Jan. 2 against Rochester for his 16 th.AHL career point and assist..Petr Taticek notched his first AHL career point on Thur., Oct. 16 against Cincinnati in his first AHL game. Taticek, 20, signed a three-year deal with Florida on Oct. 14. He spent the last two seasons with Sault St. Marie (OHL)...After missing the first 10 games (off-season surgery) of the season, Vaclav Nedorost registered his first point (PPG) in his first game of the year on Nov. 7 against Milwaukee for his 55th AHL career goal.

LEADER OF THE PACK: Netminder Travis Scott is leads all AHL goaltenders with his 13 wins (13-9-4 record) and in saves (805). In fact, Scott has notched his 10th win in only 15 games played—seven fewer than former Rampage netminder Chris Mason (1/8/03). He also has the fourth highest minutes played (1574 in 26 games played).

SIX-SHOOTERS: San Antonio's sextet of Eric Beaudoin (13g, 20a), Mike Green (9g, 17a), Denis Shvidki (7g, 16a), Lee Goren (9g, 8a), Michel Periard (3g, 10a) and Josh Olson (9g, 5a) currently accounts for 126 points—57.8% of the team's overall total of 218.

- In fact, the six pack have tallied 50 goals, equaling 61.7% of the team's 81 goals scored.

GREEN WITH ENVY: In his last 10 games, Mike Green has tallied 10 points (4-6=10) and registered a plus-4 rating. Nicknamed "Greener", the center had an eight game scoring streak compiling 14 points (4g, 10a) from Nov. 20-Dec. 12. His streak was one game shy of teammate Ryan Jardine's (9 games: Mar. 20-Apr. 6, 2003) who owns the landmark.

CANADIAN CLUB: Victoria, British Columbia native Mike Green and Eric Beaudoin, a native of Ottawa, Ontario have now combined for 21 points in the last 10 games (6 in the last five).

- If you throw in Ukrainian native Denis Shvidki, the trio registers 31 points in the last 10 games (10 pts. in last five).

- If you throw in Grand Forks, ND native Josh Olson, the trio registers 24 points in the last 10 (8 pts. in last five).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Center Scott Kelman tallied a pair of assists in his first AHL game of the season (2nd AHL career game) against Chicago on Dec. 5 after being recalled late the night before from Augusta (ECHL). Prior to being recalled from the Lynx, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound forward collected 11 points (5-6-11) in his last 10 games and registered a +4 plus/minus rating.

AT THE 10-SPOT: Comparing to last season, the Rampage notched their 10th win on their 26th game on Dec. 14, 2002 (vs. BRI; 4-2) while this year's squad eclipsed the 10 spot in 16 games with a 5-4 OTW against Lone Star rival Houston on Nov. 23.

QUITE A BEGINNING: The Rampage's 4-0-1-0 start was the club's best start in franchise history. Last season, the Rampages' inaugural season, the team opened the season 1-4-0-0 after their first five games. In fact, the Rampage continue to have a positive beginning with a 14-12-4-0 record in 30 games, while last season's squad was 11-12-5-2 after 30 games.

YOUTH IS SERVED: As Florida's AHL affiliate, the Rampage are the youngest team in the AHL, checking in at 23-years and one-month old. Along the same lines, for the second consecutive season, the Panthers are the youngest team in the NHL with an average age of 26, one year older than the average age of the club at the beginning of last season. The Cats are almost two years younger than the NHL average age (27.9).

- An interesting noteable, Jeff Paul is recognized as the lone veteran on the squad.

SCOTT HAS RED HOT OCTOBER: Goaltender Travis Scott had an impressive opening month pacing all AHL goaltenders with a 6-1-1 record. Entering November, Scott was the only netminder to record six wins. His other accolades include: one shutout (T-2nd AHL); 259 saves (3rd AHL); .952 save percentage (4th AHL) and 486 minutes logged (5th AHL). His first shutout of the season against Cincinnati with a 3-0 victory on Sat., Oct. 18 was his 17th AHL shutout.

GREAT SCOTT: Goaltender Travis Scott recorded a club record on Thur., Oct. 16 against Cincinnati by saving 56 shots on goal, helping the Rampage defeat the Mighty Ducks (4-2) at the SBC Center. Scott eclipsed former Rampage netminder Chris Mason, who set the record (55) on Mar. 9, 2003 at Houston.

FAB FOUR: Michel Periard (2g, 3a) and Denis Shvidki (2g, 3a) began the season collecting a point in each of the Rampage's first four games (Oct. 10-18). Last season's individual high of nine games (Mar. 20-Apr. 6, 2003) was set by returning Rampage player Ryan Jardine.

O' CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN: Lee Goren will wear the "C" for the 2003-04 AHL season. Goren becomes the first Rampage player in team history to be named captain.

AROUND THE WORLD: The Rampage have six countries represented by this year's opening roster, according to players' citizenships:

- 16 players were born in Canada (Lajeunesse, Scott, Andrews, Huskins, Elliott, Paul, McNeill, Rossiter, Periard, Weiss , Campbell, O'Connor, Jardine, Green, Beaudoin and Goren)

- 3 players were born in the Czech Republic (Krajicek, Nedorost and Taticek)

- One player was born in Israel (Birbraer)

- One player was born in Slovakia (Kolnik)

- One player was born in Ukraine (Shvidki)

- One player was born in the United States (Josh Olson)

NEW FACES: The Rampage season-opener roster features 10 new faces: Travis Scott, Daryl Andrews, Kent Huskins, Jeff Paul, Grant McNeill, Stephen Weiss, Max Birbraer, Vaclav Nedorost, Petr Taticek and Lee Goren.

RAMPAGE RUMBLINGS: The following is a list of players who have made their contributions felt this season to receive the AHL's Player/Goaltender of the Week recognition:

NAME

WEEK CONCLUDING

WEEK'S STATS

*Travis Scott (G)

Oct. 19, 2003

2-0-0; 86-88; 1.00 GAA

*Stephen Weiss

Oct. 26, 2003

3-0=3 pts in 3 GP; 2 PPG

*Stephen Weiss

Nov. 2, 2003

0-1=1 pts in 1 GP; extended scoring streak to 4 games

Eric Beaudoin

Nov. 23, 2003

0-5=5 pts in 2 GP; +5 rating w/ five-game scoring streak

*Travis Scott (G)

Dec. 28, 2003

0-1-1; 58-61; 1.44 GAA

Check out the San Antonio Rampage Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2004


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