Rampage 5, Aeros 4 (OT)


SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Kamil Kreps forced overtime with 28 seconds left in regulation, then tallied the game-winner 1:23 into the extra session, as the San Antonio Rampage rallied for a 5-4 win over the Houston Aeros at the Ice Center at Northwoods.



The teams split their four pre-season games, with the Aeros gaining five points to San Antonio’s four thanks to the overtime loss. Houston visits the Rampage for its season opener Friday at 7 p.m. The Aeros play their home opener Saturday at 7:35 p.m. versus the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.



Kirby Law (pictured) scored two power play goals and added an assist, and Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Ray Giroux each supplied two assists for the Aeros. Mark Cullen and Marc Cavosie added goals, while Kyle Kettles finished with 18 saves.



Kreps added an assist, Paul Healey scored two goals and Jay Bouwmeester added a goal and an assist for San Antonio, which got 20 saves from Patrick DesRochers.



A back-and-forth game ended with a dramatic third period. San Antonio headed to the final 20 minutes up 3-2, but Cavosie scored on an assist from Law and 20-year-old Marius Holtet with 7:11 remaining to tie the score. Law put Houston ahead on the power play with 3:30 left, before Kreps scored with 28 ticks remaining in regulation. Kreps then scored 1:23 into overtime to give the Rampage the victory.



Cullen gave Houston a 1-0 lead with a power-play tally 2:02 into the contest, but Bouwmeester tied the game at 1-1 late in the first.



A two-goal second period by San Antonio put the Rampage up after two. After Law gave Houston a 2-1 lead just before the midway point, Healey scored a power play and an unassisted goal for San Antonio.



Houston went 2-for-8 on the power play and is 4-for-15 with the man advantage over the past two games. Bouchard, who has spent the last two seasons in the NHL, has assisted on each of the four goals. San Antonio was 1-for-6 on the power play.