Rampage hockey team wins state title after shootout

March 2, 2020 | 12:00 am

Updated March 2, 2020 | 12:24 am

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The Owensboro Rampage hockey team claimed a state championship Sunday afternoon, pulling off an improbable shootout victory over Northern Kentucky. The win marks the third state championship in Rampage program history — they also won in 2012 and 2016.

Quickly following the 2 p.m. puck drop in Sunday’s title game — which was played at Evansville’s Ford Center — the underdogs from Owensboro proved up to the challenge. The game was filled with high-powered action, but neither side scored a goal through regulation or the five-minute overtime period.

Owensboro finally came away victorious in the shootout by a final line of 3-2 after 12 shots. All three Rampage seniors —  Layton Pulliam, Josh Ratusny and Baxter Brown — scored in the shootout.

Owensboro head coach Jason Link described his team’s victory as a miracle on ice.

“Today was probably the greatest game I have ever coached,” Link said. “We had to fight to get an opportunity to compete for the state championship, and the guys played their hearts out all game. I’m so proud of the work ethic the boys showed today, and I’m thrilled for them to get to represent the state of Kentucky and the city of Owensboro at the national tournament later this month.”

Each season, the Rampage have approximately 20 boys tryout for their team, while Northern Kentucky chooses from upwards of 50 to 60 players. Link also said that he feels Sunday’s win further legitimizes what the Rampage and the Owensboro Youth Hockey Association have built over the last several years.

“Everyone wants to play for a winning team,” Link said. “A state championship gives us the ability to draw the best talent while retaining a great team of returners, with only three seniors graduating. We are hopeful to make a good run at nationals and then to come back next year and do it all over again.”

The USA Hockey High School National Championship Tournament will take place in Mansfield, Texas, from March 26-30 and will be hosted by the Dallas Stars of the NHL.

March 2, 2020 | 12:00 am

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