SAN ANTONIO, TX - Former Rampage forward Wade Megan notched a goal and an assist and Patrik Rybar made 16 saves, as the Grand Rapids Griffins (37-19-10) skated to a 3-1 win over the San Antonio Rampage (27-33-7) on Sunday afternoon in front of 6,410 fans on Pucks & Paws Day at the AT&T Center.
Nolan Stevens notched the lone goal for San Antonio, and goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick stopped 27 of 30 shot while suffering his first career AHL defeat.
Stevens opened the scoring at 13:18 of the first period with a power play goal, his eighth tally of the season. Joey LaLeggia snapped a shot from the blue line that was deflected in front by Jordan Nolan. Rybar made the initial save, but Stevens found the loose rebound to make it 1-0 Rampage with his fourth goal against the Griffins this year.
The Griffins tied the game with a power play goal of their own at 19:35 of the first. Following a failed Rampage clearing attempt, Megan wired a one-timer from the right face-off dot between the pads of Fitzpatrick for his 16th goal of the season, and fifth against his former team.
Colin Campbell gave the Griffins their first lead at 12:22 of the second period. Givani Smith fed Dominic Turgeon in front of the Rampage net. Fitzpatrick made two saves in close on Turgeon, but the third try by Campbell crossed the goal line for his sixth goal of the season.
Filip Zadina extended the Griffins lead at 1:03 of the third period with his 16th goal of the season. Niko Mikkola's point shot was blocked and caromed to Megan, and Megan fed a streaking Zadina in the neutral zone for a breakaway and a wrist shot between Fitzpatrick's pads that made it 3-1.
Rampage forwards Jordan Kyrou and Austin Poganski suffered injuries in the first period and did not return to the game. Both players will be evaluated on Monday.
With their victory, the Griffins moved within two points of the division-leading Chicago Wolves. The Rampage are 0-7-1 in their last eight games and suffered consecutive home defeats in regulation for the first time since October 26. The Rampage are 0-3-1 in their last four games at the AT&T Center.
San Antonio finished the season-series 2-4-2 against Grand Rapids. Prior to Sunday, the Griffins had scored one goal in 185 minutes of game time at the AT&T Center this season.
The Rampage continue their homestand on Tuesday night when they welcome the Chicago Wolves to the AT&T Center for a 7 p.m. CT puck-drop. The game is available on the Ticket 760AM and on AHLTV.