Rampage hit 2022-23 start on a winning note with 7-2 victory over Hazelton

A big crowd greeted the return of the Prince Rupert Rampage for the
start of the 2022-23 CIHL season at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre Arena on Saturday
(Photo from@RupertRampage twitter feed)

The Hazelton Wolverines scored first, but the Prince Rupert Rampage scored often, with the home side marking a successful launch to the 2022-23 CIHL season on Saturday night with a 7-2 victory over the visiting side.

Both teams suffered some travel issues which left for a reduced roster for opening night, the Hazelton side seemingly more impacted by the shorter bench that the hometown Rampage were.

The  crowd of 950 in the Jim for the season debut, many wearing orange in support of Every Child Matters  had opportunity to roar for much of the night as the Rampage offence took on a fast pace from the middle of the first period on to secure the win.

After Hazelton took the lead at the 8:30 mark of the opening frame, the answers came quickly for the Rampage who saw Jared Carter open the season with an unassisted goal at   12:35, that was followed less than a minute later by Kory Moved on the power play, with an assist to Hunter Johnson at 13:`6.

Two minutes later Judd Repole was on the score sheet, with helpers going to Ben Northcott and Cole Atchison.

The first period ended with one Hazelton making some noise towards a comeback as they cut the Rampage lead in half to end the first period with 4-2 Prince Rupert advantage.

Periods two and three were all Rampage, with just one goal of note in the middle frame that from Jared Meers, assisted by Brody Hemrich and Cole Atchison.

The Third period saw Tyler Ostrom add to the scoring list with a goal at 3:35, an assist going to Lyndon Drummond.

Tyler Matalone had an unassisted goal at 6:45 of the final frame.

The last Rampage scoring play on the night coming at the 8:08 mark, with Hunter Johnson finishing off a play that included Judd Repole and Jared Meers.

Kieran Sharpe recorded the first Win in the Rampage nets for 2022-23, facing 13 shots turning aside 11 on the night.

The physical play picked up as the game move forwards, with just 4 minutes of penalties in the first, 12 minutes in the second and a string of penalties for fourteen minutes including three unsportsmanlike infractions assessed as the tone turned a bit nasty as the final half of the third period arrived. 

The full boxscore for the home opener can be reviewed here.

The Home opener was also a big night for the Salvation Army the Prince Rupert Port Authority Goals for Giving campaign sees 100 dollars donated for every goal scored by the home team, which made Saturday a 700 dollar night.

That will add to the more than 26,000 dollars the Port has already contributed to the program since they debut the community outreach nine years ago.

The Rampage take to the road this week, as they head to Kitimat and the home opener for the Ice Demons on Saturday night at 7:30. 

The Kitimat date making for the start of the road travels, with the Rhinos off to Vandherhoof on October 22nd and Smithers on the 23rd.

The next home game for the Prince Rupert side comes up on October 29th, when the Nechako North Stars come to town.

Follow the team through their Social media feed here.

More notes on the CIHL can be explored through our archive page.