Rampage Return to the road

They've packed their bags and they're back on the bus. After their much antcipated home ice debut of last weekend,  Prince Rupert Rampage are back on the road, the early season road warriors of the CIHL off to Houston and Smithers.

The good news for the Rampage is that it marks their last road trip for a month, upon their return from the Bulkley Valley, the team will be home for four consecutive home games, a luxury not enjoyed so far in this 2012-13 season.

The road weary squad takes 1-4-1 record with them, hoping to find success Friday against a similarly struggling Houston team, with the daunting prospect of taking on the undefeated Smithers Steelheads on Saturday night.

The Rampage featuring a youthful squad have struggled on offence so far in the year with their 17 markers the lowest goals for record in the CIHL and while they haven't given up the most goals in the league, those goals that have gone in tend to be costly to the overall final score.

Interestingly enough and perhaps because of their youth, the Rampage are the least penalized squad in the CIHL this year so far. At 81 penalties in minutes, they are well behind the rest of the clearly rough and tumble CIHL where the Luckies and Omenica Ice lead the parade to the penalty box at 186.

Despite their early season struggles, the Rampage remain close to the middle of the packers in the CIHL, which has Kitimat, Omenica, Houston and Quesnel all within reach for the Rupert squad.

The CIHL actually is becoming a two tier league this season so far, with Smithers, Kitimat, Lac La Hache and Williams Lake atop the standings and everyone else clawing their way towards a playoff spot.

The Rampage return home for their second home game of the year on November 24th when Williams Lake arrives in town for a 7:30 Saturday night game at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. Sunday the 25th, the Quesnel Kangaroos arrive to play the Rampage in a 1:30 start.

You can review all our Rampage items from the Rampage archives.