Rampage 5, Wolves 4 (OT)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas --- Everyone expected a low-scoring grind between the Chicago Wolves and San Antonio Rampage. After all, they ranked among the top seven teams in goals allowed during the American Hockey League's regular season.
But when the Calder Cup playoffs opened Thursday night at AT&T Center, the teams couldn't tally goals fast enough.
The third-seeded Wolves squandered a two-goal lead in regulation, then San Antonio defenseman Colby Robak delivered a power-play goal 14:16 into overtime to give the Rampage a 5-4 triumph in Game 1 of the best-of-five Western Conference quarterfinals.
The sixth-seeded Rampage has won all five games against the Wolves this season --- and all have been decided by one goal.
Rookie wing Nicklas Jensen, a 19-year-old playing in his seventh professional game, posted a pair of power-play goals for Chicago, while left wing Bill Sweatt and forward Tim Miller added goals.
Darren Haydar, the AHL's all-time leader in postseason scoring, assisted on two goals as the Wolves built a 3-1 lead in the first period. San Antonio's Jon Matsumoto scored the final two goals of regulation and fired the shot that led to Robak's victorious rebound goal past Wolves goaltender Eddie Lack, who had 31 saves.
San Antonio's Jacob Markstrom made 33 saves, including two at point-blank range in overtime, to earn the win.
Game 2 is 7 p.m. Saturday.
