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Rampage Nudge Past Monsters 3-2 in Shootout

February 20, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Cleveland Monsters News Release


CLEVELAND - In front of 13,145 fans at The Q, their largest home crowd of the season, Cleveland's Lake Erie Monsters were defeated in a seven-round shootout on Saturday by the San Antonio Rampage by a final score of 3-2. With the shootout loss, the Monsters are currently 27-17-5-4 overall this season and with a .594 points percentage, remain alone in third place in the AHL's Central Division standings.

In a memorable goaltender duel between Lake Erie's Brad Thiessen and San Antonio's Reto Berra, Saturday's game remained scoreless until 18:15 of the third period when Monsters rookie Oliver Bjorkstrand powered home his 11th goal of the season, an unassisted tally at even-strength. Just 24 seconds later, the Monsters made it 2-0 when John Ramage potted an empty-net, shorthanded goal from inside his own blue line.

Undeterred by the late deficit they faced, San Antonio rallied with a power-play goal from Mikko Rantanen at 19:00 and an even-strength equalizer from Maxim Noreau with just 23 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. After a scoreless extra session, Rampage center Colin Smith scored in the top of the first round of a shootout and was equalized by Lake Erie's Sonny Milano in the bottom half of round one. After five shootout rounds elapsed devoid of a score, Noreau scalded a slap-shot past Thiessen in round seven to supply the Rampage with a 3-2 victory.

Thiessen is now 9-3-4 despite a memorable, 34-save performance in regulation, while Berra claimed victory for San Antonio in his first AHL appearance this year, thanks to a 39-save showing in regulation and six shootout stops.

Next up for the Monsters, it's a Thursday home clash vs. the Rochester Americans with full coverage, live from The Q, underway at 7:00 pm on ESPN 850 WKNR and the Monsters Hockey Network.

Tickets for every Monsters home game start at just $10 and are on sale now! Full and partial season ticket memberships are also available and provide you with the best seat locations, custom member benefits and the lowest ticket prices. Group outing and birthday bash packages for 10 or more people are also on sale now. All tickets can be purchased by visiting LakeErieMonsters.com, calling (216) 420-0000, visiting The Q Box Office or any Northern Ohio Discount Drug Mart. Be sure to follow the Monsters on Twitter @monstershockey, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lakeeriemonsters, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/monstershockey.

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