The relentless Rampage defeat the Barons

OKLAHOMA CITY , Okla. – In a high scoring game with only six penalties, the home team saw their two goal lead slip away, three times.
 

From the beginning of the evening, it appeared it was going to be the Baron’s night.   The Western Division Championship Trophy was presented before the game, and Oklahoma City was credited with the first goal of the game.   San Antonio put the puck in their own net while rookie Hunter Tremblay was credited with the score.   Assists went to fellow linemates Mark Arcobello and rookie Tyler Pitlick.
 
Arcobello would put the home team up by two goals on a power-play score at 12:21 in the first period.   “He has been good for us all year, and scored a big power-play goal for us,” said Coach Todd Nelson.  
 
Four minutes later, San Antonio did what no other post-season opponent had accomplished: scored a power-play goal.   The Barons perfect 100% on the penalty kill was no more.   Outstanding rookie Alex Petrovic scored to bring the visitors within one goal.   This was his second play-off goal, assists going to Colby Robak and Evan Barlow.
 
The wild second period began with a wraparound goal by veteran Josh Green, who restored a two goal lead to the Barons.   Fast-skating wingers Teemu Hartikainen and Magnus Paajarvi earned assists on this even strength goal at 1:24.   Less than two minutes later, San Antonio’s Mark Cullen scored off a defensive zone draw.   “It was a set play where we had just blown coverage in about three or four different areas,” said Nelson.   “I think that shot was going to go wide, and went off our defenseman’s glove and into the net. Regardless, we can’t be giving an opportunity like that, right off the draw.”
 
The Baron’s fourth goal was scored by the birthday boy Hartikainen, who beat the Rampage goaltender Jacob Markstrom on the glove side.   Paajarvi earned his second assist of the night.   The score of the game was 4 to 2 in favor of the home team.   However, the game was to change drastically for the home team.
 
The Rampage score at 8:13 by Bill Thomas brought the visitors within one goal.   The equalizing goal was a power-play goal, scored by Tyson Strachan with three minutes remaining in the period, his first of the post-season.   “That are a pretty determined bunch over there,” said Nelson.  
 
With less than five minutes remaining in the game, San Antonio opened the flood gates.   Michael Caruso gave the Rampage their first lead of the game on a score from Captain Nolan Yonkman and David Marshall.   This was Caruso’s first post-season score.   The “insurance goal” would be scored by the Rampage’s leading scorer: Jon Matsumoto, who beat Barons goaltender Yann Danis, stick side.   This was unanswered goal number four for the Rampage.  
 
There was a power-play opportunity for the Barons with eight seconds left in the game, when Matsumoto was sent to the penalty box for holding the stick, which seemed a bizarre time to whistle an infraction.   San Antonio was two for three on the power-play, while Oklahoma City was technically one for three (not much one can do with eight seconds).
 
“Things got away from us,” said Nelson. “You have got to give them credit; they are a good hockey team as they create a lot of scoring chances, more than what we usually allow.”   The Rampage had 29 shots on goal, compared to 30 for the Barons.
 
“We came out pretty good offensively in the first,” said Arcobello.   “They answered back in the second. The third period was anyone’s game.   I think we gave them too many chances.”   Things to fix for the Barons for the next game include deep zone coverage and playing for a full 60 minutes.  
 
“We have to have all 20 guys playing,” said Nelson.   “We can’t have any passengers; I thought we had quite a handful of passengers.”   Did the eight days of rest result in the home team being rusty? “We expected a bit of rust from the guys,” said Nelson.   As the game went on, we got looser and looser.   We have to straighten that out and get ready for Saturday night.”
 
Saturday in Oklahoma City will be Game 2 for this best-of-seven series.   
contact the writer at gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com