by Ana Kieu

The Barracuda brought a two-game winning streak into the matchup with the Rampage. The last time these two teams met, San Jose shutout San Antonio 4-0 at AT&T Center on Nov. 15. That was all different this time around as the Rampage who had home ice won the Saturday night contest 4-3 in a shootout at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

Barracuda fans were greeted with good news because the kid line of Nikolay Goldobin, Rourke Chartier and Kevin Labanc reunited. The San Jose Sharks reassigned Labanc and Ryan Carpenter to the Barracuda this morning.

Meanwhile, the Rampage remain the cellar dweller in the Pacific Division. San Antonio picked up a point in a 4-3 overtime loss at home against the Texas Stars, but in the second game, they were handed their third loss of the season in a 3-0 shutout.

Timo Meier made a slick behind-the-back pass to Danny O’Regan that was stopped, but John McCarthy cleaned up the garbage and banked a puck from behind the net to give the Barracuda a 1-0 lead at 8:11.

Rampage forward Mike Sislo was then given a minor penalty for tripping. The Barracuda received their first power play of the night. San Antonio responded when Julien Nantel beat Barracuda goalie Mantas Armalis with an unassisted short-handed goal on a 2-on-1. The score was even at 1-1 midway through the first.

After Nantel’s second goal of the year, fans threw teddy bears onto the ice. All of the teddy bears were donated to the children at the Family Violence Prevention Services program.

The Colorado Avalanche reassigned forwards Gabriel Bourque and Sam Henley to the Rampage yesterday. Bourque’s third goal of the year put his team up 2-1 with 1:45 left in the first.

The Barracuda got the first goal and outshot the Rampage 13-6 but trailed 2-1 after one period.

The violence increased in the second period.

It all started when Dan Kelly dropped the gloves with Rampage forward Trent Vogelhuber. Shortly after, Vogelhuber drew a high-sticking penalty with a brutal hit on Colin Blackwell, who had to be taken off the ice in what looked like a concussion. Kelly and Vogelhuber were assessed roughing penalties. 64 seconds later, Anton Lindholm was called for holding.

The Barracuda had some really good chances with 17 shots in the second. They outshot the Rampage 30-11. However, San Antonio continued to hold a 2-1 lead over San Jose after two periods.

The Barracuda had a successful penalty kill. Labanc was called for slashing and the Rampage went on their first power play of the night but were unable to capitalize.

Joe Whitney was called for cross-checking midway through the third. Timo Meier beat Rampage goalie Spencer Martin with a backhand for a power-play goal at 12:04. The game was tied at two apiece.

Meier’s second goal of the game to give the Barracuda a 3-2 lead at 17:35.

But the lead was short-lived as Whitney responded with his fourth goal of the season just one minute later. The game remained in a 3-3 deadlock, which led to overtime.

The game was ultimately decided by a seven-round shootout. Troy Bourke scored the game-winning goal to lift the Rampage to a 4-3 win over the Barracuda.

Martin made 41 saves in a San Antonio victory. Armalis made 21 saves in a losing effort for San Jose.

The Barracuda play the second of back-to-back games against the Rampage tomorrow. Game is scheduled for 3:00 pm CST on AHL Live and AM 1220 KDOW.