A month off didn't seem to have much of an impact on the Prince Rupert Rampage, with the home side beating back two challengers this weekend,
the Rhinos taking wins on Friday over Quesnel and Stuarday against Williams Lake.The schedule maker had given the Rampage a month away from competitive battle, but they more than stepped up on Friday when a snarly Quesnel Kangaroos squad arrived in town.
The game one notable for the parade to the penalty box as it was for the numbers on the score sheet, the long trip from the Cariboo bringing out some physicality from the Roos, which was more than answered by the hometown side.
On the Score board the Rampage were quick to the back of the net, with two Cole Atchison goals in the first five minutes, the first assisted by Tyler Ostrom, the second with helpers going to Kory Movold and Brett Arnet.
Quesnel would get one back in the middle of the first period, but the Rampage were quick to put down that rebellion, Reid Lindsay on the power play with an assist to Judd Repole and Brody Ward made it 3-1 by the sixteen minute mark.
Judd Repole would add one more before the first period would end, Cole Atchison and Reid Lindsay with the helpers making it 4-1 at periods end.
The penalty parade began early in the game with the Rampage picking up the first three infractions, with the nastiness accelerating through the first frame
Prince Rupert picked up another goal five minutes into the second, with Judd Repole gaining the marker assisted by Reid Lindsay.
The Kangaroos countered with one of their own before the ten minute mark.
Much like the first, the second was a penalty filled affair as well, the Kangaroo claiming the majority of
the penalty time on a range of infractions.
The third period saw one more Rampage goal, that going to Marcus Atchicson, with assists going to Jared Meers and Cole Atchison.
The Quesnel side claimed two back, but came up short of a comeback with Prince Rupert posting a final score of 6-4 by the end of another penalty filled period, the infractions going on until the final whistle.
In total, the Kangaroos were assessed 81 minutes of penalty time on 23 infractions, the Rampage served 49 minutes in the box on 19 infractions.
Kieran Sharpe picked up another win for thee Rupert side, turning aside 28 of 32 shots on the night.
570 fans took in the action on Friday evening.
The full Boxscore of the night is available here.
Saturday night provided just as much offence as the Friday night affair, but by comparisons, Williams Lake and Prince Rupert players were on a peace march, with things settling down significantly following a first period flurry of penalties.
The Stamps took an early two goal lead and held that advantage until the midway point of the first when Brody Hemrich picked up an unassisted power play marker, followed eight minutes later by Jared Meers, also on a power play bringing the two teams even on the scoreboard, the helper on goal number two for the Rampage going to Judd Repole.
The Second period was much the same as the first, Williams Lake added two goals in a row to take a 4-2 lead by the midpoint, which was the cue for another pushback from the home side.
Ben Northcott launched the push, scoring at 13:39 with an assist to Brody Hemrich.
Three minutes later it was Justin Brand tying the game up, with Drew Fudger and Nolan Stava providing the helpers. Three minutes after that Cole Atchison put the Rampage ahead for the first time on the night, Judd Repole setting him up for the go ahead goal.
The Rampage added to their 5-4 lead in the really moments of period three, with Tyler Matalone finding the back of the net on a helper from Brody Hemrich.
Williams Lake would make one last charge at mid period, gaining one goal back, however four minutes later Reid Lindsay restored the two goal lead, assisted by Kory Movold.
The 7-5 score making for the final decision at the games end.
The referees had a relatively easy go of things considering the night before, with Williams Lake serving 14 minutes on 7 infractions, while the Rampage visited the detention box on the east side of the rink 7 times for 25 minutes of penalty time.
Kieran Sharpe secured his place at the leagues top goaltender into December, turning aside 16 of 21 shots.
The Rampage goaltender having seen 360 minutes of play so far this season, with Goals Against Average of just 2.33.
776 fans made their way into the Jim for the warp up to the weekend play.
The Full box score for the Stamps/Rampage contest of Saturday is available here.
Being off the ice for a month has left the Rampage scorers with some ground to make up, which will come in December and January with a fairly extensive schedule ahead.
Judd Repole began the climb back to the top of the scoring listings with his weekend work and his five point over two games. The talented Rhino offensive threat now in Fifth spot in the Scoring race with fifteen points, ten behind league leading Jordan Draper from Quesnel.
The Prince Rupert side will hit the highway this weekend and the next two games will serve as bookends to the recently completed sessions.
Saturday the Rhinos are in Williams Lake, while the Kangaroos more than likely have Sunday afternoon circled on the calendar for their reunion matchup.
The weekend also brought out the generosity of the Rampage fans, with a successful Teddy Bear Toss in aid of the Salvation Army Christmas Hampers program.
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