Last home game of 2010 set to kick off for the Rampage. The team warmed up a couple short, but are probably expecting some reinforcements (there was a coal ship to put in late this afternoon the captain may be a little late).

Didn't see the first game in Rupert, but the usual suspects from last year seem to have made the trip for Terrace. Puck drop after the anthem. Almost showtime!

Rupert 1, Terrace 1

Rupert momentum was cut short with a couple of early penalties. After a couple solid kills, Rupert got the wheels in motion and put a tally on the board with a Chris Brlecic tip in of a Travis Helland shot (Clouthier with the second assist). Rupert had a couple more great chances as Johnny Hunt put one of the iron and Rob Millar slid one wide.

Terrace's play picked up in the back half of the period and Derek Jurista drew the team's even by scoring off a brutal turnover in the Rupert end. The period ended with furrious Terrace pressure as Rupert was guilty of some sloppy play in their own end.

Terrac 3, Rupert 2

Rampage Captain Colt Stava made an appearance as the second period started and gave a boost of energy to the home side. The quick start led to a goal by Brett Stava (C Stava, C Brlecic). As the goal went in, Toby Mitchell lost it and took an unnecessary roughing penalty that came with a ten minute misconduct. Rupert applied some pressure and appeared to make it a two goal lead as a Rob Millar shot looked to find the inside of the upper 90, but wasn't called as the penalty expired (in all fairness, it may have looked different at ice level).

Rupert seemed to have a lot of chances early, but much like the first Rupert couldn't get the insurance goal. As the period wore on Terrace started to carry play and banged in two late goals about a minute apart. The goals came from Tristan Murray (R Clair, C Findlay) and Garrett Kerr (N Soucie, T Mallet).

Strange moment withtwo to go as Terrace's Ryan Watson and Skyler Andrews ran into each other. Andrews was unable to vet up and laid on the ice for several seconds before making his way slowly to the bench.

Rupert 5, Terrace 3

The boys are still un-defeated at home this season! Go Rampage Go!

Third period goals for the Rampage:

Trevor Clouthier (J Hunt, J Davis)
Chris Brlecic (C Stava, B Stava)
JT Ward (EN)

With the season approaching the home stretch, first place still up for grabs in the west and all three contenders in action, it doesn't get much better than this. Rupert and Terrace started things off with a classic at "The Jim" Firday night. Rupert came out hard and fast, storming the beaches and putting tally on the score sheet. As the period wore one, Terrace found some momentum and finished the period with a commanding pressence and on equal terms. The second was much of the same as Rupert again worked itself into a lead, only to have Terrace amp things up and pot a few themselves.

As third period openned, Rupert found itself on the it's heels with Terrace carrying some momentum forward from the second, desperately searching for an insurance marker. It was Rupert's version of the Grind Line, with Johnny Hunt, Jared Meers and Trevor Clouthier that started to turn the tide in the home side's favour with a good, hardwork shift with something like a twelve minutes to go. Next time out, they were rewarded with a goal as Trevor Clouthier one-timed a bouncing puck past Terrace's Craig Walsh (?). With crowd energized, the top line of Brlecic, Stava and Stava followed things up with a goal of their own and with that moved game and half ahead of their Skeena River rivals.

Solid efforts were turned in by many in this one. As mentioned, the line of Hunt, Meers and Clouthier had a good night with hard work shifts, while JT Ward struggled early, he turned it around and salvaged a good night. While Rob Millar was held off the score sheet, he looked dangerous all night (and may have scored if we had video replay).

It's contributions from everyone like that that Rupert will need as they may be without Stephen "Dylan" Lawrence for some time as the winger suffered what can only be described as an upper body injury when he collided with the start of the glass at the bench. The rugged sniper, who moved into second in team scoring last week, left the ice immediately and after a brief "give it a try" behind the bench was taken back to dressing room.

Either way, big win for Rupert tonight. Still some work to do, with a road trip to Kitimat and a pair of home games against Houston, but a big win to wrap up 2010. Happy Holidays to all, and we'll see you back on the ice in 2011.