Gameday Preview: Stars v. San Antonio Rampage

Texas Stars
20-16-10-1, 51 pts
#10 Western Conference
v.San Antonio Rampage
27-15-4-0, 58 pts
#4 Western Conference
February 10th at 7:30 PM
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

The tone of tonight's game could be determined off the first puck drop. Last time these two teams met, it got a little heated. Coach Laxdal got into a heated argument with San Antonio's Coach Rowe. The time before that Shane O'Brien tried to take down anyone he could at the end of overtime, attempting to draw either Cameron Gaunce or Maxime Fortunus into a brawl. Neither incident drew any supplemental justice. It appears these teams will try to settle things between themselves in the Lone Star state.

So I would listen closely when Rob Mason announces tonight's starting lineup for the San Antonio Rampage. Tom Rowe has to make the first move, sending in his lineup first. If you see some of the punchers out there, like Shane O'Brien particularly, get ready for something interesting off the drop.

As to the game at hand, the Rampage are doing pretty well points-wise. After beating Texas in the shootout, the Rampage beat OKC 5-3, scoring three straight to roar back from a 3-2 deficit in front of a home crowd of over 13,000. Dan Ellis is 21-8-2 on the season and is feasting on Texas. At 6-1 with a 2.09 GAA and .929 SV% against his former organization, Ellis is the ace in the hole of the I-35 rivalry.

On the Texas side, Jussi Rynnas is your man in net. He's yet to lose to San Antonio in regulation, but it's a small sample size. Jack Campbell is 0-4 against the Rampage this season; Rynnas is 1-0-1.

Stars injury/call up report:
Ritchie, Jokipakka (call up)
Henderson (injury, upper body)
Faksa (injury, out for season)

Website: sarampage.com
Blog (unofficial): Rampage with Tony U.
Blog (unofficial): Runnin' With The Herd
Twitter: @SARampage
Twitter: @DanWeissPBP (play-by-play for SA)

Comments

  1. Come on now, you really think a AHL team (well Texas) would ever drop the gloves at the puck drop. I can't see it happening...I mean what has this team dropped the gloves 5-6 times all year? Nahh...

    ReplyDelete

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