SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Rampage enjoyed three wins at home to start the 2019-20 season but fell 2-1 in a shootout to the Chicago Wolves (1-2-0) in their final game of a four-game homestand in front of 6,312 fans at the AT&T Center on Saturday night.
Nick Lappin had the lone goal for San Antonio, while Lucas Elvenes had the goal for the Wolves. Gage Quinney had the game-winner in the shootout.
“Both teams played hard,” Rampage head coach Drew Bannister said. “There were a lot of emotions in this one for a game so early in the season.”
The loss is the first of the season for the Silver and Black, who won three out of four games, earning seven out of eight points.
After two scoreless periods, Chicago would be the first to open the scoring in the final frame. Following a San Antonio turnover, Elvenes let go a shot from the slot that went past Rampage goaltender Adam Wilcox at the 6:42 mark. The Rampage answered back when Lappin banged home a rebound off a Jake Walman miss to even the score at one goal apiece.
Neither side could find the back of the net in overtime, so the game went into the shootout. Quinney scored in the first round as Austin Poganski, Nathan Walker, and Lappin failed to convert on their chances in the skills competition.
Wilcox made 31 saves in his Rampage debut, including one highlight-reel stop to keep the game scoreless in the second period.
“It’s always good to get your first game in,” Wilcox said. “I was excited to get my first start here, I’ve never played a game in the Western Conference. I was glad to be out there.”
Now the Rampage will hit the road for the first time this season, embarking on a six-game road trip. Last season, San Antonio struggled away from home, going 8-26-4. They are now hoping all that will change this season.
“It’s a new year and a new team,” Bannister said. “I think it’ll be good for us to get on the road and get to know each other a lot better.”
UP NEXT:
The Rampage are now 3-0-1 (7 points) on the season and will return to the ice next Friday when they take on the Tucson Roadrunners (2-1-0) at the Tucson Convention Center at 9:05 p.m. Central Time.
