Highlights:
The San Antonio Rampage knew they needed to score to keep up with the speedy Tucson Roadrunners. If Friday was any indication, the rivalry between the two teams will be fun.
The Rampage earned a point, but fell 5-4 to the Roadrunners in overtime in front of 6,043 fans at the AT&T Center on Friday as the teams opened up their weekend set.
“We’re getting where we need to be,” Rampage coach Eric Veilleux said. “We had a lot of shots and 30 shots that missed the net. That’s what happens when you get pucks on net. That’s what matters.”
Both teams came out firing, scoring five goals total in the opening 20 minutes. Troy Bourke opened the scoring at 7:53 with a wrist shot past Tucson goaltender Justin Peters. The visitors responded just over a minute later with Kyle Wood’s sixth tally of the season. The Rampage took a two goal lead with back-to-back goals from A.J. Greer, but Christian Fischer cut the deficit to 3-2 after the opening frame.
Tucson tied the game midway through the second period with Dakota Mermis’ shot past San Antonio goaltender Jeremy Smith at 10:04. Just over three minutes later, Garry Nunn tipped home a shot attempt to give the Rampage a 4-3 advantage going into the final period of regulation.
The Roadrunners sent the game into overtime with Fischer’s second of the game at the 11:49 mark of the third period. In the extra frame, Fischer sealed the win for Tucson with his third goal of the night, giving the visitors the 5-4 win.
“I thought we did well as a team,” Greer said after the game. “There are a lot of positive things to take out of this game.”
Up next: The Rampage are now 11-13-2-0 on the season and will return to the ice tomorrow night when they face the Roadrunners at 7 p.m. at the AT&T Center.
