The San Antonio Rampage had a record-setting season during the 2014-15 campaign. After setting marks in wins, points and goals, the silver and black have had a disastrous to the postseason. After all their hard work, they now stare elimination in the eye after another third period meltdown.
San Antonio gave up four consecutive goals as they fell 4-3 to the Oklahoma City Barons in front of 2,135 fans inside the Cox Convention Center in Game 2 of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series on Saturday night.
The silver and black lit the lamp first when Connor Brickley put home a shot past Oklahoma City goaltender Laurent Brossoit at 9:16 of the opening period. Just over three minutes later, Corban Knight added a power play tally to put the Rampage up 2-0 going into the second period.
John McFarland gave the Rampage a 3-0 lead in the middle frame when he slipped the puck through Brossoit’s legs 6:44 into the period. That would be the end of the line for Brossoit as he was pulled from the game. He would be replaced in net by Richard Bachman. Oklahoma City got on the board with a goal from Ryan Hamilton as he beat Rampage netminder Michael Houser to cut the Rampage lead to 3-1 going into the final period.
Just like in Game 1, the Barons would rally in the final frame. Jordan Oesterle cut the San Antonio lead to one goal with a power play tally at 16:43 of the period. With an extra attacker on ice and their goaltender pulled, Oklahoma City would strike late. Matthew Ford tipped in a Justin Williams shot past Houser with 36 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game 3-3 and force overtime.
In the extra period, Connor Jones beat Houser at 4:01 of overtime to secure the 4-3 come from the behind win for Oklahoma City. The win gives them a commanding series lead, needing just one win in three games to advance to the next round.
San Antonio outshot Oklahoma City 40-39 for the gane. Houser stopped 35 of 39 shots he faced, while Brossoit made 21 of 24 saves in 26 minutes. Bachman stopped all 16 shots he faced in a 37 minute relief effort.
Oklahoma City converted on 3-of-6 power play chances, while the silver and black were 1-for-4 on the man advantage.
The Rampage will try to avoid elimination when the team returns to the ice on Wednesday night for Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at the AT&T Center at 7 p.m.
