The San Antonio Rampage dropped a 3-2 decision to the Texas Stars in their final regular season home game. The two teams meet again tonight in Cedar Park in each club’s last tilt before the Calder Cup playoffs begin. The Rampage have now lost three games in a row.
Dan Ellis made his first start, stopping 14 of 17 shots, since retuning from his stint with the parent Panthers and was beaten 16-seconds into the opening period by Texas pivot Justin Dowling.
Vincent Trocheck evened the game at the 8:01 mark with his 7th AHL goal of the season. The even-strength marker was set up by veterans Shane O’Brien and Dany Heatley.
The Stars regained the lead on Brendan Ranford‘s goal with 5:42 left in the period. Cole Ully and Derek Meech drew the helpers on Ranford’s 17th.
Matej Stransky notched the only goal of the second period, scoring from Jason Dickinson and Scott Glennie at 15:08.
San Antonio cut the deficit to one when Wade Megan scored at 5:34 of the final frame, from Logan Shaw and Corban Knight.
Unfortunately the Rampage would come no closer, as Texas goalie Jussi Rynnas would hold them at bay for the final 14:26. Rynnas finished the game with an astounding 52 saves.
The loss, coupled with wins by Utica and Grand Rapids, means San Antonio will be the three seed in the Western Conference playoffs and face Oklahoma City, Chicago or Toronto, depending on how this weekend’s action shakes out.