Despite Weekend split Rampage remain atop CIHL standings

A weekend of CIHL play did not get off to the most auspicious start, with the Prince Rupert Rampage dropping a Friday night contest, only to bounce back with a win on Saturday, but at the end of the forty eight hours, the Rhinos would find themselves in sole possession of First Place overall in the seven team loop.

The weekend started with a trip to Kitimat, a place where perhaps the after party is still going on, that after the Ice Demons topped the Rampage 4-2 making for their first win since the 2017-18 season a joyous occasion for the Kitimat faithful gathered at Tamitik for the evening's play.

The rather light bench for the Rampage, who were on their first road game of the season turned to Judd Repole for the offence as the Rhino sniper accounted for both goals for the visiting side on the night.

The Ice Demons however responded to the Rampage challenge and locked the game down into the third, holding off the Rupert squad to secure the milestone win for the 2019-20 season.

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Saturday night, Prince Rupert welcomed the Hazelton Wolverines back to the CIHL, though
hospitality can only go so far when it comes to wins and losses. As the Rampage provided for another lesson on the learning curve for the visitors, with a six goal burst of offence to add to the Wolverines goals against totals.

On the night it was a showcase appearance for Kory Movold, who had a four point night on the ice.

The Rampage forward collecting three goals the final one a penalty shot and one assist from his work on the night, Cole Morris picked up the other two Rampage goals, with all of the games scoring taking place in the first two period of the night.

Movold's success on Saturday moved him to the top of the CIHL scoring leaders list with 10 points, with fellow Rampage Judd Repole just one point off his pace.

The night was a physical one, featuring many trips to the penalty box for a range of offences both minor and major with five misconducts handed out on the night among the 44 minutes of penalty time assessed to the Rampage, while the Wolverines sat out 40 minutes of punishment for the night.

Devon Gerrits picked up the win in the Rampage nets, turning aside all but one of the 24 shots directed his way on the way to the 6-1 final score.

The full box score for the home game can be reviewed here.

Prince Rupert will need to work out their road approach this weekend as they travel to Smithers for the first since the 2016-17 season, that with return of play for the Steelheads who resuscitated their team in time for this season.

Like Hazelton, the absence from play, even if a shorter duration than their Bulkley Valley neighbours has provided for a rough return, with Smithers off to a .500 start so far, counting a win over Hazelton and a loss against the Rampage in the CIHL opener in their count so far.

In a quirk of the CIHL schedule, Saturday's trip to the Bulkey region will make for the last game the Ramapge will play until November 30th, making it that much more important to try to come back home with the two points as a way of padding their lead for the down time ahead.

For more notes on the Rampage room see their Facebook page here.

A wider overview of CIHL notes can be found from our archive page here.

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