It was another case of close, but no cigar as the San Antonio Rampage came up empty again in a season-ending 2-1 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Barons last night at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The Barons won the best-of-five series three games to zero after going 1-9-2 against the Rampage in the regular season.
After a scoreless first period, Kellen Jones bagged the game’s first goal at the 18:51 mark of the middle frame. The even-strength marker was set up by Matthew Ford and Jason Williams.
Oklahoma City starter Richard Bachman, who won game two in relief of Laurent Brossoit, looked to be on his way to a shutout until Silver and Black defenseman Dylan Olsen lit the lamp with just 59 seconds left in regulation and San Antonio’s net empty for an extra attacker. Vincent Trocheck and Garrett Wilson drew the assists on Olsen’s goal.
Jujhar Khaira notched the game-winner at 5:01 of the extra session, from Ford and Mitch Moroz, to end the series and the Rampage’s affiliation with the Florida Panthers on a very sour note. Ford finished the series with 1 goal and 4 assists.
Dan Ellis stopped 36 of 38 shots in the loss while Bachman finished the game with 35 saves.
Trocheck (1G/1A), Connor Brickley (1G/1A), and Wilson (2A) were the only Rampage skaters to produce two points during the series.
For more on the Rampage, click here to visit the official site. Complete player playoff stats can be found here. You should also check out Running With The Herd and follow play-by-play man Dan Weiss for additional Silver and Black stuff.
A heartfelt goodbye to all associated with the Rampage, especially Dan Weiss, who always took the time to get back to me with an answer to any question I had regarding the team. It was fun covering the Silver and Black for LBC the last few years. This fall, we here at LBC will shift our attention to the Northeast and Florida’s new AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates.