Rampage run up streak to four

The Prince Rupert Rampage are surging at just the right time, their early struggles of September and October long forgotten as they make their push towards the CIHL playoff seeding, another step towards that goal came from a convincing 6-1 victory over the division leading Kitimat Ice Demons on Saturday night.

Another larger crowd of 600 wrapped up their Winterfest Saturday with something to celebrate, with the home side once again sending the Rampage loyalists home with another two points to talk about.

The Rampage, who now have now won their last four games in a row, once again found the scoring touch of Brock Ward a welcome addition to their arsenal.

Ward collected one goal and two assists on the way to the Rampage victory, his first point the opening goal of the game on Saturday night,  a midway marker assisted by Kory Movald.

Movald would pick up the second Rampage goal of the first period, his shot finding its mark at the nineteen minute point, with Ward and Derek Baker picking up the assists.

The Rampage came out of the dressing room and jumped out to a four goal lead by the 8 minute point of the second.

Devin Palmer started the second period off quickly scoring 51 seconds into the second frame, with an assist going to Greg Sheppard.

Seven minutes later Sheppard would add to the goals parade, an unassisted marker to put the Rampage in full control of the night.

The Ice Demons finally found some space behind Rampage goaltender Warren Hansen, picking up their only goal of the night at just before the nine minute point.

The Third period was once again all Rampage.  They closed out the game in fine style, as Kory Movald scored on the power play, with Brock Ward and Jared Davis setting up goal number five on the night.

The final goal of the game came just as the third was ending, another power play marker, this one credited to Jordan Weir, with Travis Helland and Bryan Tates picking up the assists.

On the night Warren Hansen turned aside 29 of the Ice Demon's 30 shots on goal, the Rampage fired off 34 shots at Brett Vilness, who took the loss for Kitimat.

The Ice Demons added to their league leading penalty totals, taking 34 minutes of penalties on 10 infractions, the Rampage converted two of those power play opportunities for goals. They avoided the penalty box for the most part on the night, assessed 12 minutes of penalty time on six infractions.

You can review the full summary from Saturday night here.

The Rampage are next in action on Saturday night, when they make the Drive for Five with a road game at Terrace, a pivotal game in the CIHL standings, one which could be key to Prince Rupert's playoff ambitions.

With their four game winning streak in hand, the standings in the West are particularly tight heading towards the home stretch of the season.

Prince Rupert currently trails Houston by two points, Terrace by three, and Smithers by four, Kitimat leads the division five points ahead of Prince Rupert.

With six games remaining in the 2013 regular season, each and every point will be important for a Rampage playoff push.  However, timing it seems is everything, of the five teams of the West, the Rampage would appear to be the team playing with the most confidence at the moment.

Saturday's matchup has a puck drop of 8 PM at the Terrace Arena.

You can review past Rampage results from our archives page, a full review of all our items on the Rampage and the CIHL can be found here.