The San Antonio Rampage knew they needed to get two wins against in-state rival the Texas Stars to have a chance to get back into playoff contention. But two straight losses have the Silver and Black feeling blue this holiday weekend.
The Rampage fell 2-1 to the Texas Stars inside the Cedar Park Center on Wednesday night, the first of a back-to-back against the Dallas Stars affiliate.
Texas got on the scoreboard first when Nick Ebert slid the puck past Spencer Martin to give the Stars a 1-0 lead at 3:23, which they would hold going into the second period.
J.T. Compher opened the scoring in the second period, tying the game up at one goal apiece. However, Texas would score the game-winner thanks to a 5-on-3 power play with Gemel Smith scoring on a backdoor play.
The third period would see no score from either side as Texas won 2-1.
24 hours later, the two teams were back at it again – this time at the AT&T Center. The Rampage were stunned with a goal from Texas with 12 seconds left in regulation.
Just like the night before, Texas opened the scoring. Caleb Herbert scored 1:16 into the contest, giving the visitors the early one goal advantage. San Antonio struck back with two consecutive goals from Jim O’Brien and Mike Sislo to put the Rampage up 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Texas responded with three goals in the second period with three straight goals to give them a two goal lead. Travis Morin, Herbert, and Gemel Smith all had goals, ending Spencer Martin’s night and putting the Stars up 4-2 after 40 minutes.
The Rampage came out firing in the final frame, looking to tie the game. Duncan Siemens and Rocco Grimaldi tied the game up at four all, but Matej Stransky scored with 12.8 seconds remaining to lift Texas to the 5-4 win.
The Rampage are now 12-15-2-0 (26 points) on the season and will return to the ice next Tuesday when they face the Stars at the AT&T Center at 7 p.m.
