Highlights:
AT&T Center – San Antonio Rampage coach Eric Veilleux said in October his team was a work in progress. Fast forward two months and it seems things are coming together. Despite sickness, injuries and call ups.
The Rampage earned a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers in front of 5,795 fans at the AT&T Center on Saturday night, sweeping their two-game weekend series.
“The guys were focused, not only on the result but the way to play,” Veilleux said after the game. “Big effort and commitment, they were blocking shots once again. Our goaltender was good all weekend, making key saves.”
San Antonio lit the lamp early when Sam Jardine put home a blast from the point at 8:04, taking a 1-0 lead into the second period.
Rocco Grimaldi extended the Rampage lead to two goals in the middle frame, scoring his sixth goal of the year at 1:18. Charlotte finally broke in the scoring column at 15:42 when Valentin Zykov redirected a pass past San Antonio netminder Spencer Martin to make it 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Despite outshooting San Antonio 12-6 in the final frame, Charlotte was unable to get the equalizer. Thus, the Rampage had won their second straight home game of the season.
“Losing the first six at home is tough,” Grimaldi said. “We’re decimated with injuries and sickness and for us to go through this now is good to get it out of the way. We’d rather have it now than in March and April.”
Charlotte outshot San Antonio 34-27 for the game, including a combined 25-12 in the final two periods. Neither team scored on the power play going 0/1 and 0/2 respectively.
Up next: The Rampage are now 8-9-0-0 (16 points) on the season and will return to the ice next Friday when they welcome the Texas Stars to the AT&T Center at 7:30 p.m.
