The Owensboro Rampage hockey program won its opening contest of the KHSHL State Tournament in the Edge Ice Center on Friday afternoon, defeating Lexington 2-1 after several shootout rounds.
The Rampage jumped out to an early lead after a quick goal from Nate Crane, but Lexington mustered up a tying goal with time expiring in the 2nd period. With the score tied at 1-1 after regulation and a 5-minute overtime period, it went to several rounds of shootouts.
Owensboro’s Aiden Sheward held down the fort at goal, while Mac Barber eventually recorded the game-winning goal. The team advances to the semifinals, where they’ll face Charleston at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
“It was a big deal for Mac – he was struggling to hold back the tears,” said the team’s head coach, Chad Barber. “We had a lot of momentum coming into the game, and now we have even more. We should be in good shape heading into tomorrow.”
Barber added that playing on their home ice has made all the difference.
“It’s been amazing having families, friends, and even fellow students in the stands supporting the team,” Barber said. “There have also been several former Rampage players come out and support us, which has been awesome.”
Owensboro has won the state hockey championship in 2012, 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2022. They’ll face an undefeated and No. 1-seeded Charleston team for another chance to play for a state championship.
“We just need to have our heads in the right place and grind them out,” Barber said. “They’re tough, but I’ve told our guys all year that we can win this thing.”
