Green lifts Barons past Rampage in OT

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., — In a thrilling sudden death overtime game, veteran Josh Green found the lose puck behind goaltender Jacob Markstrom and knocked it in to even the series.  
 

The home team scored first in this second game of round two.   Chris VandeVelde scored on a backhanded shot on a rebound from Dylan Yeo, at 8:31 in the first period.   This was VandeVelde first post-season score.   San Antonio answered back eight minutes later on a power-play goal from Bill Thomas.  
 
The Rampage took the lead three minutes into the second period on yet another power-play goal.   Mark Cullen scored on a screened Yann Danis.   Mid-way thru the second period, the Barons were awarded a penalty shot, when Colby Robak pulled down Ryan Keller on a break away.   Keller’s shot was gloved by Markstrom.   Forth-five second later, the Barons evened the score at two, when Mark Arcobello got a pass through the crease from Bryan Rodney.  
 
Teemu Hartikainen put the Barons in the lead two minutes later, on a shot from the deep slot.   Assisting on the score were Green and Yeo.   San Antonio did what they do best mid-way through the third period. A power-play goal was scored on a screened Danis.   Evan Barlow’s score evened the score and evaporated the one goal lead of the home team. This was the Rampage’s third power-play goal of the night.  
 
Five minutes later, Thomas would score his second goal of the night, and put San Antonio ahead again. “We worked hard to get the lead, and then we gave it right back to them on their power-play” said Green. “We know they have a potent power-play.”
 
After losing the lead in game one which resulted in a loss, this game was appearing to follow down the same path.   Several times in the third period, the Barons were in a flurry around the Rampage net, yet were unable to score.   “When he [Paajarvi] rang one off the post, I thought my goodness, this is the way it is going to end,” said Nelson.  
 
With a 1:22 remaining in the third period, San Antonio was whistled for delay of game.   The Barons pulled their goaltender for a two man advantage.   “We just put two guys in front, and had an extra guy in the slot,” said Nelson.   “Bryan Rodney mad an outstanding play to Paajarvi.”
 
This strategy worked, as Paajarvi scored with 9.2 second remaining in the game.   This was his first goal of the post-season, and tied the game at 4 to 4.   “I just bombed everything I had, and it went in,” said Paajarvi. Assisting on this power-play score were Rodney and Green.   “That was a huge goal, “Maggie” played great for us all night, so he certainly deserved that one,” said Green.   The first over time session for the Barons was about to begin.
 
At 11:40 into the sudden death overtime, a rebound of Paajarvi shot resulted in a loose puck behind Markstrom.   Green knocked in the puck for the thrilling win.   “We got a bounce where the puck was laying there behind Markstrom, “Greener” tapped it home,” said Nelson.   “It was one of those games where it was going back and forth,” said Coach Todd Nelson.   “In overtime, anything can happen.   It was our first over time game as a franchise; it was good to get the win.”
 
The Barons won by a score of 5 to 4.   Danis earned the win and improved his post-season record to 4-2-1.   Markstrom was handed his first post-season loss in five games.   Again, this contest was high scoring.   Nine goals were scored, compared to ten goals in game one.   The series shifts to San Antonio for games three through five.  
 
“This game was really crucial,” said Paajarvi.   “We have got three away games now, so we really have got to step it up.   The power-play wins games for sure, as we saw that when they were nine seconds way from winning.”  
 
Arcobello and Green kept their scoring streaks alive, as both have scored in every game since April 24^th.   Game three of this series will be Monday night in San Antonio.     
 
contact the writer at gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com