VandeVelde scores in OT for Barons win

SAN ANTONIO , Texas , — In a low scoring game and yet another “thriller”   in over-time, the visiting Barons scored first and last, to take the series lead.  
 

The first goal of the game was scored at 1:18 of the first period, which is a Barons franchise record for the fastest goal in a play-off game. Centerman Anton Lander got the puck past Jacob Markstrom for the score.   This was Lander’s second goal of the post-season.   Last year’s Captain of the Calder Cup: Ryan Keller and fellow All-Star Philippe Cornet earned the assists.  
 
The remainder of the opening period had several hard open ice hits, with both teams playing physical.   The Barons had two power-play opportunities, while the Rampage had one.   Neither team scored on the man advantage in the first period. The Barons held the Rampage to three shots on goal in the first period.  
 
40 seconds into the second period, it appeared that San Antonio had tied the game.   The goal was waived off and a delay call was assessed to rookie Tyler Pitlick of the Barons. The second period was scoreless, which was a departure from the previous two games in this series. Few penalties were called in the second period.  
 
Mid-way through the third period, Barons Chris VandeVelde was whistled for slashing.   The potent Rampage special teams went to work.   With seven seconds remaining on the penalty, James Wright scored on a rebound of the leading AHL post-season scorer: Jon Matsumoto who saw an opportunity while a Barons defenseman was out of position.   This power-play goal evened the score at 1 to 1.   The Barons were able to kill off a Rampage power-play opportunity late in the third period, when Antti Tyrvainen was sent to the penalty box for interference.
 
At the end of regulation, the score was tied.   This would be the second over-time game for the Barons and the fourth over-time for the Rampage.   After the 15 minute intermission, the sudden death extra period began.
 
It appeared the Barons scored to win the game at 9:06, however the foal was waived off and a goaltender interference call was assessed to Teemu Hartikainen.   Seven minutes later, VandeVelde scored on a pass from rookie Tanner House, with the second assist going to defenseman and rookie Dan Ringwald.   The Barons won in over-time by a score of 2 to 1.   The are now 2-0 in over-time play for the post-season.  
 
Both teams had disallowed goals, only the Rampage scored on the power-play.   Oklahoma City was able to kill off four of five power-play opportunities by San Antonio.   The Rampage have the AHLs best power play at 22-for-36 at 36.1%.   The Barons are 4-for-29 at 13.7% in the post-season.   Yann Danis improved to 5-2-0, while Markstrom’s record is 4-2-0.   Danis has been the goaltender for all of the Barons post-season play.  
 
Game 4 will be Thursday night in San Antonio, with Game 5 the following night, also in San Antonio.  
 
Contact the author at gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com