The San Antonio Rampage continued to find success away from home, winning two out of three games in week three AHL action. The Rampage were beaten 5-2 by the Utica Comets on Friday, but rebounded with 4-2 and 5-2 wins over the Hamilton Bulldogs.
In Friday’s tilt, the Comets jumped out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of a shorthanded goal from Brandon DeFazio, folllowed by a pair from Ronalds Kenins. Logan Shaw scored a late second period marker from Alex Petrovic and Greg Zanon to finally get the Rampage on the board. Steven Kampfer’s third period power-play goal, assisted by Shane O’Brien at 16:23, pulled San Antonio within one, but empty-net goals from Nicklas Jensen and Dustin Jeffrey put the game out of reach. Dan Ellis, who finished with 16 stops, took the loss, while Utica’s Joacim Eriksson made 39 saves to post the victory. The Comets are the only team to beat the Rampage so far this season.
On Saturday, John McFarland opened the scoring at 6:28 of the first period, from Brett Olson and Mark Mancari. The Bulldogs struck back to take a 2-1 lead with Sven Andrighetto and Charles Hudon doing the honors. San Antonio tied the game at the 16:00 mark on an unassisted shorthanded tally from Olson. In the second period, Steven Kampfer put the Rampage ahead with a power-play goal assisted by goaltender Michael Houser. Bobby Butler put the game away with his second of the season early in the third period. Mackenzie Weegar, in his fist game back from injury, and Garrett Wilson picked up the helpers. Houser finished with 22 saves to get the win. Mike Condon took the loss for Hamilton, stopping 38 of 42 San Antonio shots.
The Rampage completed the weekend sweep of Hamilton with a 5-2 win on Sunday. Connor Brickley scored the game’s first goal late in opening period, with Mark Mancari and Brett Olson collecting assists. The Bulldogs’ Christian Thomas tied the game at 6:12 of the second. San Antonio responded with goals from Rocco Grimaldi and Bobby Butler 49 seconds apart midway through the period. Grimaldi’s goal was assisted by Drew Shore and Shane O’Brien, while Butler’s third of the campaign was unassisted. Garrett Wilson scored late in the frame, from Alex Petrovic and Greg Zanon, to put the Rampage up 4-1. Hamilton’s Gabriel Dumont lit the lamp early in the third, but the Bulldogs couldn’t draw any closer. Wilson iced the game with an unassisted empty-netter to complete the scoring at the 17:30 mark. Dan Ellis picked up the win, finishing with 28 saves. Joey MacDonald made 21 stops and was tagged with the loss,
San Antonio will finish up the five-game road trip tonight in Adirondack versus the Flames. This weekend they host a pair against the Rockford IceHogs
For more on the Rampage check out the official site.