Rampage Scorch Heat 5-1 in Home Opener

October 25, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 24, 2015) - The San Antonio Rampage topped the Stockton Heat 5-1 in front of 6,727 in their home opener at the AT&T Center Saturday night. Mikko Rantanen and Chris Bigras tallied a goal and an assist each, earning the First and Second Star of the Game, respectively.

Rantanen's rocket from just inside the blue line at the 6:40 mark of the first period gave San Antonio an early 1-0 lead, and Sam Henley tallied his first of the season to give the Rampage a 2-0 cushion heading into the first intermission.

Colin Smith opened the second-period scoring, potting his first of the season to give the Silver and Black a 3-0 lead, and Chris Bigras extended the lead to four with his first pro goal, a blast from the point, at 12:16. Marc-Andre Cliché tallied an unassisted shorthanded goal late in the frame to give the Rampage a 5-0 lead and prompt the Heat to start Karri Ramo in net to begin the third period.

Stockton got a power-play goal from Freddie Hamilton midway through the third frame, and San Antonio finished with a 5-1 win, their third straight victory since dropping an overtime decision in their season opener on Oct. 10.

Calvin Pickard finished with 25 saves on 26 shots. San Antonio was scoreless on five power play opportunities while holding the Heat to one goal on five opportunities with the man advantage.

Key Stat

Rantanen's first-period goal was his first pro tally in North America, while the goal scored by Bigras in the second period marked his first pro goal.

San Antonio outshot the Heat 31-26, including a 13-6 advantage in a second period in which the Rampage scored three of their five goals.

Quotable

"With the delay in the game, a lot of guys were down here early. With the excitement of the first game and the crowd, it was a great start, and we were able to carry through."

-- Rampage head coach Dean Chynoweth

Lineup Notes

Mikko Rantanen, who was reassigned to the Rampage on Thursday, skated on San Antonio's top line with Ben Street and Colin Smith, who moved up from the second line. Borna Rendulic, who was reassigned to San Antonio on Tuesday, played with Andreas Martinsen and Joey Hishon on the second line. Patrick Bordeleau, who missed the two-game road series against Grand Rapids die to illness, was back in the lineup.

Up Next

The Rampage head to California for two road games against the division-leading Ontario Reign on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. San Antonio returns home against the Chicago Wolves on Nov. 6. Individual and season tickets are available and can be purchased by calling a Rampage representative at 210-444-5554 or online at sarampage.com.

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