The San Antonio Rampage have had success against the Oklahoma City Barons for much of the regular season. Things did not change as the two clubs met for the final time in the regular season…and possibly ever.
Rocco Grimaldi tallied two goals as the Rampage (44-21-5-1) earned a 4-1 win over the Barons (38-25-5-3) in front of 1,942 at the Cox Convention Center on Tuesday evening.
San Antonio got things started when Kyle Rau put home the puck past Oklahoma City goaltender Laurent Brossoit at 16:46 of the opening period. Mike Matheson and Brett Olson picked up assists on Rau’s second goal of his career as the Rampage took a 1-0 lead into the second period.
Grimaldi extended the lead for the Silver and Black in the second period as he sent a wrist shot over Brossoit’s shoulder at 12:33. Just over a minute later, Grimaldi struck again with the Rampage on the power play to put San Antonio up 3-0. Wade Megan got in on the scoring action as his goal at 17:26 of the middle frame gave the Rampage a four goal lead going into the third period of play.
Oklahoma City finally lit the lamp just 57 seconds into the final frame as Brad Hunt beat San Antonio netminder Sam Brittain to cut the Rampage lead to 4-1. San Antonio would hold on to the three goal lead to secure the win. Bobby Butler and Jesse Blacker both left the game and did not return due to injury, their status is unknown at this time.
Brittain stopped 24-of-25 shots he faced, earning the second star of the game. Brossoit made 30 saves on 34 San Antonio shots. The Silver and Black were 1-for-5 on the power play, while Oklahoma City was 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
The Rampage will now return home for a weekend series with the Grand Rapids Griffins beginning this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the AT&T Center.
