Since that time I have played a few games here and there, but stayed firmly at a distance because I just don’t trust my decision making if I give in too much. And if you’re reading this, I’m not anti-gaming, just anti-gaming-for-Neal. So go back to your XBOX, ye commentors of hatred towards this post.

So far I have been able to thwart the fiery darts of gamedon hurled my way. That is until my wife bought me an iPad.

In November, the iPad changed the way I did a lot of things both online and offline. Suddenly entertainment gaming was accessible in ways it never was before. Sure I’d played Angry Birds on my phone, but it isn’t anything like playing Angry Birds on your iPad. The marketing genius’ at Apple knew me too well. They knew that they could carve time on my behalf to play games by making it portable, colorful, easy to play, easy to learn, and most importantly wildly entertaining.

So my obsession for gaming reared it’s ugly head. But this time I’m older and wiser. Madden no more for this 30 year old. Age of Empires? Forget it. I like the highbrow, classy games that we sophisticated adults choose to embrace. If you didn’t already know, I’m talking about Snoopy’s Street Fair.

Snoopy, Charlie, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, and the rest of the gang have returned to life in the form of an addictive role playing, fair building cartoon world. Based on a simple idea — collect coins and bills as you place various vending and game stalls — STF is as addictive as a can of pringles on a depressing weekday afternoon.

Currently I’m at level 26, and just purchased the lovely Lila and her super cute chocolate stall. The word on the street “at the fair” is that I’m at gangsta king level in the game, and only matched in greatness by the gangsta queen (aka my wife). As we collect coins, complain about not having enough bills, and refuse to use an iTunes giftcard to ease the pain of both, we relish in the escape of a beautiful fair care of the eternally cutesy Peanuts Gang.

It goes without saying, but I’m addicted. When I open my iPad in the morning the order of importance goes like this — Bible study, note taking, Snoopy Street Fair, email, Twitter, Facebook. Did you see that? Snoopy before email AND Twitter AND Facebook. Who does that sort of thing? Blasphemy.

I’ve been playing this game since November, and at times it’s taken over my dreams. Like the other night, I stepped out of Charlie Brown’s house, tapped on Snoopy’s doghouse to wake him, and hit up the sweet corn stall before slamming down a two helpings of cheese curd. If you’re a “player”, you know.

I digress. The iPad has changed book reading, magazine browsing, social networking, and gaming in ways that we haven’t fully discovered. But we feel its effects constantly. There’s no turning back now because once your hooked, your hooked.

I may not be a dorm dweller anymore, but I’ve returned to a fonder day of my youth — where gaming was something I did a lot. So you’ll need to forgive me, because I have a crane grabber to purchase and a set of gnomes to place. I’ll see you at the fair.

Hailed as the record that found Bob Marley at the crossroads of his career, it is an album that’s both quietly political, but determined to be mellow. Whereas Marley’s catalog prior spun yarn that evoked the political rebels tenacity, his 1977 release was favoring the more commercial, the more accessible, the more pop savy genius of Bob. And I loved every downbeat second of it.

Recorded after an assassination attempt on his life, Bob Marley found a ways with coping in utter disaster — and this would become the lifeblood for his musical tendencies.

As a junior high student, my life couldn’t have been more polar opposite to that of Marley’s or any child growing up in the dangerous Trenchtown streets (Keep in mind, this album was released three years before I was born). I lived in a nice home. Had fantastic parents. Went to a nice school. Ate three meals a day. Enjoyed sports. But the universal sentiment of “Love”, “Celebration”, and “Harmony” struck a strong note within my brain, and eventually my heart.

Thus I blame my grandfather who lived in Florida for introducing me to the Wailers, mainly the Exodus record. As we’d take a cruise down the Tamiami Trail, he’d pop in a copied cassette labeled “Pa’s Music”, and we’d drift away to an island paradise unlike any other. The music reverberating from that baby blue Cadallic, with stark white interior, was epically smooth. It wasn’t mind numbing and boring, but the kind of cool only reserved for those that truly appreciate warm climates and the tendency drift to those climates in their minds. The truth is that my grandfather loved Bob Marley. He, unlike my youthful self, understood the social commentary that the Marley music was all about, but he seemed unattached to them. Instead he basked the the universal truth of love — performed in a sweet, slow, reggae tones.

Although it was probably the most commercially recognized album of Bob Marley’s career, it’s still the yardstick by which I judge all other music within the genre, and to some extent outside of it. From start to finish it is a fine record.

It begins with the slow fade-in, and almost spooky undertones of “Natural Mystic”. And then it bursts forth with exuberance in “So Much Things To Say” where Marley’s vocal gymnastics take flight. Then it dips its toe into the political arena with “Guiltiness”, “The Heathen”, and the title track Exodus. The latter, with it’s bombastic horn section, and chant-like mantra are seven minutes of improvised jamming. And then the Wailers do just that. “Jammin’” is a swagger filled diddy that simply states, “I wanna jamma’ wit you!”. And then the album gets introspective and deeper. “Waiting In Vain”, “Turn Your Lights Down Low”, “Three Little Birds”, and “One Love” breath love from every pore.

As if Marley knew his time was short on this earth, he declared “Let’s get together and feel alright”, on “One Love”. And he was right. Nearly a month after completing Exodus, he was diagnosed with cancer that he’d later refuse treatment for. And this makes the album even more important because it struck a nerve with people across the globe and made Bob Marley more than a Jaimaican singer, but a time-tested brand which continues through today.

Do I find the tones of Exodus to be poignant, socially important and culturally significant? Yes, more than ever. Do I find this albums to be “as good” as it was when I was in that Cadillac on the Gulf Coast, driving with the windows down? Yes, more than ever.

To this day, when I hear the first drum beat of “One Love” I smile. Well played Bob, you hooked me.

I’ve often complained about attendance at Barons games, and at times it really is most disconcerting. But imagine with me for one moment a world where the Barons are a global brand. One where they are as welcomed in Oklahoma City as they are in Okinawa. A brand synonomous with grit, determination, agility, ferocity, and heart.

As my mind wandered yesterday evening, I began imaging this world even more. Forget the 2,000 that know them; instead it’s 200 million that chant LETS GO BARONS.

So, without further ado, I give you the Barons — through the eyes of global brands. Can you guess the original brands that coincide with these logos. Post in the comments. I’m excited to see whom can get them first. Enjoy

It will be interesting to see where this Bunz moves goes from here. The ongoing discussion of Oilers goaltending prospects starts with two names — Olivier Roy and Tyler Bunz. With Bunz’s WHL season now over, and his stat sheet of junior hockey quite bright, Bunz will continue to come up in conversations as the future of Oilers goaltending.

Will he play in a playoff series while with Oklahoma? It’s highly unlikely. But don’t completely ignore the fact that he’s there, and that he’s ready to continue proving his worth as a 5th rounder that everyone SHOULD have taken sooner.

ATO NOTE: Mike Marcou was released from his ATO this week, while Martin Marincin continues to be solid recording an assist and a +4 rating in four games. He’s also gaining solid time on ice alongside Alex Plante.

As I watched Steven Tambellini glide across the stage at last night’s NHL Draft Lottery I giggled. Not because anything amusing was going on. But because I knew there was absolutely no way the hockey gods would have predicted the Edmonton Oilers would AGAIN nab a first round pick. Inconceivable at best, the Oilers defied the odds, and stole the first overall from the even lowlier Columbus Bluejackets. To call any organization “lucky” while they simultaneously tank three years (or more) in a row to become lotto eligible is not lost on me. It’s also quite entertaining to watch the worst of the worst in the NHL crack smiles, shake hands, and smile for cameras at an event of this nature — less than 24 hours prior to the best of the best battling each other for the Stanely Cup. Ironic indeed.

But with the Oilers now owning that #1 pick there are benefits that have a trickle down effect. Ultimately a high draft pick can mean a lot of things for an NHL’s minor league affiliates. But the most glaring one is that a high draft pick means an increased number of deeper round players will play in the AHL. There’s nothing new or earth shattering about that statement. NHL team drafts high, AHL team sees more 2nd/3rd/4th rounders more quickly. And this is very important to remember. Players that need maturing, that aren’t immediately gifted, that indeed become an acquired taste — all can blossom in the minor league farms.

Taylor Hall, NHL guy. RNH, NHL guy. Yakupov, most likely NHL guy. This greatly takes the pressure off the farm club and the players therewithin, especially the goal-scorers. Why? By immediately stocking teams with high end players out of the gate, the AHL can take it’s time (as can the players) with developing offense properly. Case in point. A guy like Tyler Pitlick didn’t need to have a light’s out type of rookie season. Instead he could ease into the quickness and size of the game naturally while the Oilers have the luxury of waiting him out because they already have a youngster filling that role in the big leagues. Don’t get me wrong, the NHL teams need good goal scorers, and the more the merrier. However, there’s no rush on prospects when those specific needs are already being filled.

The American Hockey League is an ongoing process league. The development that takes place within its confines never stops. It never slows down. It never takes a break. It can’t afford to and neither can its NHL counterpart. By drafting high, the Oklahoma City Barons can soldier on in that process without feeling any obligation to “get them good NOW”. A luxury that some teams just can’t afford. Does this mean an Oilers pick in the teens causes the opposite to occur? Absolutely not. But the pressure on players to better themselves more rapidly might quietly rear its head, and you don’t want that going south quickly.

We see the flipside of the “too fast” development process in two players now on the farm — Anton Lander and Magnus Paajarvi. Both will be NHL players one day, no doubt. “When?”, remains the question. Imagine if one or both of those guys began their pro careers by making waves in the AHL first. Their stock would be given time to grow, time to become more valuable, time to avoid being buried in the big leagues. I think we find that both of these players will be better next season as a result of time in Oklahoma City. Just imagine where they’d be now if they had started the process from day one on the farm? Different story most likely.

There will always be a time and a place for players to get better. Even those drafted high have a bit of a learning and growing curve. And despite the mismanagement at two levels within the Oilers organization (Tambo & Renney), there is no denying that the 2012-13 team will be prepped and ready for goal scoring. It’s just the nature of the players they’ve drafted. Meanwhile the up and comers will quietly do their work on the farm, become better players, and (fingers crossed) prove the theory that the AHL team can reap benefits from a high NHL draft.

Easter Sunday, the Oilers made transactions that sent Teemu Hartikainen, Chris VandeVelde, and Colten Teubert to the Oklahoma City Barons for what will be a Calder Cup run for the minor league roster. There’s no denying that the Barons are kinda whispering their way into the playoffs. Sure they will likely nab a 1 seed in the West (although Toronto might best that at the last minute) with the best overall record in that conference, but they are doing so with a March/April record of 8-6-2-2. Although above .500 in regulation those 10 outright losses are pretty simple evidence that this team is dipping (not diving) towards an imposition. A crossroads where the team learns to play team hockey and thus winning hockey, or have that first round, five game series over before the dust settles.

With those three players returning to the farm, where they set up shop for most of the season, the Barons just might get a little edge that they were lacking. Not goal scoring or assist making (although that’s a possibility), but rather some heart. Hartikainen is a player that is a take charge winger. Strong, sturdy, and charismatic when he wants to be. VandeVelde is a third line closer that matches up nightly with opposing top lines. He is a yeoman at frustrating others. Then there’s Colten Teubert. A guy with which the organization, at both levels, seems to enjoy. I find his play lacking something. However, he does add that heart element in most regards. He embraces his situations and predicaments with full force. He realizes his prospect nature, chooses to work hard wherever he might be. These are all qualities that the Barons in its current incarnation seem to be lacking.

But in the end it’s goal scoring that has the Barons snake bitten. With names on this roster like Ryan Keller, Phillipe Cornet, Magnus Paajarvi, etc, etc, it’s maddening to think that Antti Tyrvainen has become the go-to consistent scorer. That’s not a slight knock on Antti (now with a shaved, angry looking head) but rather a testament to both his increasingly strong rookie N. American season and his teams’ druthers of late.

But the hard facts are that those scoring players listed above have indeed received their share of chances, really good ones in fact. And this is where heart plays a big role — when scoring isn’t coming naturally. When your team has dominated the Western Conference (or at least the important parts of it) for nearly 3/4 of a season, for the well of offense to dry up so quickly is most disconcerting. Todd Nelson doesn’t say it, but you can tell in his demeanor that he is gobsmacked by his Barons’ inability to score of late. Yet he insists the system works, as do I, and thus the team will be fine. But how long can the coaching staff, players, and fans continue to tell themselves that when the team has hit the skids?

The need for heart is also the need for a leader. Someone in that locker room that talks the talk, but laces it up and walks the walk (or skates the skate). I believe that will come from a young player. Captain Helmer serves a purpose, but it’s time for someone else to get some moxy. A Tyler Pitlick, for example, would be a great candidate if he chooses to thrust himself into this position. He’s a “go hard” player by definition, but can be crippled by his own inconsistency. Imagine if he strung together a postseason that rattled cages, forced his teammates to be better, and lit a fire by mere example. That’d be impressive and timely and much needed and much accepted.

There is one cog in this postseason machine that will be sorely missed despite some fans insisting he be gone — Linus Omark. I’d make the argument that we haven’t seen a player in Oklahoma City that could score at will quite like Linus Omark. He had gears that very few AHL prospects possess. And he’s made it very clear that he’s done with the Oilers organization, not just the minor league Barons. His insistence that he play in the Worlds is fine, and I don’t blame him for doing so given how much he’s been jerked around by the Oil. But that doesn’t diminish how much of an impact he could have had on this current Barons squad. A goal scorer with dangerous hands, knee cap breaking puck handles, and raw talent would have been a dangerous postseason concoction. Nonetheless, that ship has sailed – Gothenburg or bust.

So the time comes for wondering. What does this Barons squad do in the next two weeks to prep for the Calder Cup Playoffs? Sure they’ll insist they need to “skate better”, “make better decisions”, and “be more aggressive”, but my fear lies in the one thing that takes longer than two weeks to develop. The mental fortitude to go hard takes time to mature. That heart aspect might indeed be bubbling within a player whom we least expect. If so, let’s see it now. Show us what you got. Make us believe that this team can have a healthy heart transplant & bang some pots whilst steam rolling through the AHL postseason. As fans, we know it’s there, we’ve seen it, we’ve watched it. We just haven’t seen it in a while, and I think we’re due.

I’ve done a handful of interviews this season. Some really solid, some scarily boring. But every now and again you strike sporting gold. Like this week, when Matt Donovan earned his first NHL callup to the NY Islanders. Matt, of course, is the only born, raised and trained Oklahoman to play in the NHL. It’s a first with many years in the making. After that interview I took a couple of deep breaths. At a hamburger. Enjoyed some unseasonably warm Oklahoma weather, and digested my interview that occurred at Copper & Blue of Matt as well as what this call up really means for the state I call home. Here are those not-so-eloquent ramblings. READ THE FULL C&B INTERVIEW HERE >>>

Interviewing the young defenseman, Matt Donovan, is something that I had planned to do for at least a year now. I’d not done it for several reasons, most of them time related, but nonetheless it just never happened. The Bridgeport Sound changed my mind, as did the sharply tuned Donovan in his rookie season. Like out of nowhere, Matt Donovan became one of the best minor league defenders in the country. He scores, he skates, he passes, he assists — the kid seemingly got good. Unless you followed the pre-professional days of Donovan, this likely surprised you a bit. While hockey fans were seemingly impressed and Isles fans basked in a prospect with great determination, the culmination of what was and is occurring in Matt Donovan’s early pro career is fantastic to behold. But when you understand that this kid came from a hockey community with great tradition, but one where hockey is one of the least likely sports for kids to embrace, the story becomes infintely more interesting.

In most cases it’s hard to label a 21 year old minor hockey player in Bridgeport, Connecticut a “trailblazer”, but in this case I dare you to find a word that better describes the situation. From a hockey family, raised in a hockey rink, schooled in how to play the game from his father, increasingly supported by his mother; Matt was determined to make hockey important. You can tell it in his voice. You can tell it by the way he plays the game on the edge at times. By the way he produces a team mentality on and off the ice. He’s a trailblazer of the sport birthed from the least likely of hockey places.

Oklahoma City needs Matt Donovan to be a success. No pressure Matt. Why? Because he proves the theory that A) hockey works in Oklahoma, not just as an entertaining sport, but as an opportunity for young people, and B) it simply puts more focused attention on the potential, and I believe eventual growth, of the sport in this state. Could hockey be a destination point without him? Sure. It has before. But it does give a hardy “I told you so” mentality to people who support hockey in this community.

When I interviewed Matt a few weeks ago we talked briefly about hockey in Oklahoma. He still trains and maintains his offseason regiment in Oklahoma. He’s unashamedly an Okie. His family still vigorously supports his career, and they understand how gifted their son truly is. Matt is probably like most kids who play hockey. He’s hard working. Dedicated to the sport. Unashamed to play the game his way. But imagine the opportunities afforded to those that play hockey in Canada and far North US states. The Donovan family makes no excuse in this regard, but I will — it’s hard to rise to hockey success in Oklahoma. You probably have a better chance of becoming mayor of the city than being it’s first true hockey player to crack an NHL roster.

The Isles have been gifted a solid defender. With a rookie season out of the gate like he’s had in Bridgeport it’s a strong likelihood that we see Matt Donovan as an Islander next season. His first NHL callup was a disastrous endeavor for the Islanders, but one where the AHL rookie earned 20 minutes on the ice, and subtle praises in the face of a beat down.

I never dreamt that I’d be cheering for an Islander. It feels sorta weird. But in the end, there’s much more at stake for one Islander — the chance to make further history, which has already begun with a bang.

Marincin, or the Slovakian String Bean (Thanks Bruce & Patricia for pointing this out), is no stranger to Oklahoma City having played at least one game last season in the 7 game grind fest with the Hamilton Bulldogs that ended the Barons run at one round. Quite honestly, Marincin looked lost in that one game. But fared well for his first pro game, in a hostile environment, with tons on the line.

Marincin is listed at 6′ 4″, 196lbs, but likely ten pounds lighter than that. The guy is thin and lanky, but with great hands and a long reach. He moves remarkably well even with that thin frame, but he’s not the physical monster you’d expect him to be. And this, is where Marincin will need to improve his style of play. Hits early on that were deemed dirty have somewhat caused Marincin to slightly taper the grit (Jason Zucker hit comes to mind first). If he refuses to be physical, hi’s time in the minors might be a smidge longer than expected. Either way, Marincin is a sight for sore eyes. With Teubert and Rodney wasting away in Edmonton, and news of Kevin Montgomery, Dylan Yeo, and Kirill Tulupov nursing injuries, the defensive core of this team that has been its bread and butter for winning immediately takes a dip down the stretch. Scott, at Oil Field Hockey who’s up-t0-date on these things, mentioned that the Barons were considering bringing in a CHL defenseman from the Tulsa Oilers to fill the necessary holes. Yikes. Double yikes.

So the ATO parade continues, and with Marincin the Barons get help on the blue line, but also get to watch a prospect with another year of juniors under his belt.

Marincin did double duty for two teams this year, and eventually ended his junior career in Regina where he found life in offense. Here is his season box score:

Perhaps he was better used in Regina or he simply found himself “in good company”, but either way his point production continued. With those things in mind, I’m anxious to see what kind of pairing he gets on the farm this season. Do they try to nudge him alongside “the bigs” in Teubert or Plante, or do they play to his seemingly long reach and good defensive hands alongside Helmer or Yeo? Either way, look for Marincin to get a chance out of the gate tonight against Hamilton. The Barons need him to be good if they are going to make a statement down the stretch and in the shortened first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

For a solid read on Martin Marincin, check out the Copper & Blue Top 25 Under 25 #11.

Also read here & here for Bruce McCurdy’s take on Marincin & the skinny Slovak phenomena.

The Athletic Tryout contract that exists in the American League is intended to bring in players that might be considered for future play within the organization, and give valuable ice time to those that are guaranteed that same future. It’s a time, typically in postseason play, where young players are given the opportunity to taste the pro ranks. Players that are finished with their junior or college seasons are eligible for these opportunities (with the latter becoming ineligible for return to the collegiate level). It’s a nice setup, but also one that is strangely awkward for teams that have a familiar core for nearly 80 games a season. Yet the clubs take it in stride and every now and again a diamond in the rough is spotted (Hunter Tremblay, who knew?).

The ATO parade has begun for most teams in the American League, but the Barons seem to be jumping into the fray as well. In a tweet discovered by good friend Scott from OilField Hockey, Mike Marcou, a smallish defenseman from the University of Massachusetts has likely signed an ATO with Oklahoma City.

#okcbarons RT @Edzo16: Congrats to my boy and now former teammate @Mikeymarcou22 on signing with OKC Barons in the AHL. #29Teams #UncleRicky

— Scott@OFH (@ScottEOFH) March 27, 2012

Marcou is a Kings Park, New York kid that earned a mini camp tryout with the Islanders this past season. In addition to being a UMass defender, Marcou had a USHL career with the Waterloo Blackhawks where he appears to be a hard working, slowly improving defender, that overcomes a bit of a size issue with tons of heart.

Scott Cournoyer of the Massachusetts Daily Collegian had this to say about who Mike Marcou is as a player and leader following a BC loss that ended UMass’ season:

It’s true when people say that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Despite talented – and still progressing – individuals that performed in big moments this 2011-12 season, the entire Massachusetts hockey program took a big step forward in the right direction.

Seniors T.J. Syner, Danny Hobbs and Michael Marcou were unquestionably the leadership, talent and examples to follow for the rest of the team.

However, with those three departing along with senior Kevin Moore – a veteran goaltender who stayed on with the program for four years as an example for younger players – it’s time for the talented underclassmen to take the reigns going forward.

The SBNation website BC Interruption and Fear the Triangle discussed that very matchup between UMass and BC, and again Mike Marcou’s name came up:

Consistent focus and effort, especially on the defensive end, is what has made the difference between winning and losing this season. UMass’ defensive corps is good, but still relatively young with Mike Marcou the only senior among a bunch of sophomores and freshmen.

It seems that Marcou is no stranger to leadership, and that’s certainly something that the Barons will welcome with open arms if not this season, potentially in years to come.

With Kyle Bigos and Brandon Davidson mentioned as potential Barons in the coming weeks, it’s hard to imagine Marcou getting much ice time during the remaining games or even in the postseason. However, sometimes gaining some pro atmosphere is more important than actual playing time when in limited game scenarios. Based on whom we think might make the roster with an ATO in hand, look for Marcou to get one or two starts in a first/second rounds of the Calder Cup playoffs.

Mike Marcou stats:

Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2006-07  Waterloo Black Hawks        USHL   44    1    4    5   26
2007-08  Waterloo Black Hawks        USHL   48    2    9   11   22
2008-09  UMass-Amherst               H-Eas  20    0    1    1    4
2009-10  UMass-Amherst               H-Eas  36    7    3   10   39
2010-11  UMass-Amherst               H-Eas  27    4    7   11   18
2011-12  UMass-Amherst               H-East  34    6   15   21   16

Keep in mind, neither UMass nor the Barons have made this official, but if true will likely make it official prior to games arriving this weekend.

The problem with this team is simply consistency. They have the talent to get it done, but lack the killer mentality to finish teams off early and often (something the Barons struggle with, but with more favorable outcomes). They are disciplined and force teams into taking silly penalties by virtue of being a speedy squad. Guys like Jon Matsumoto, Bracken Kearns, and Bill Thomas have a knack for scoring quickly. They have a tendency to give the Barons heartburn with their agility, and this would be a an area where the Barons defenders would need to be sharp and keep those forwards in front of them.

On defense they are smart with the puck and can move up ice quickly. Sean Sullivan and Cody Rolbak are two that come to mind quickly as your typical puck moving defensemen. It’s the forward lines that take the most abuse defensively in that they can be overly aggressive with the puck. As is the case with Matsumoto who has 21 points in 26 games, but with a -3 +/-  since coming to the Rampage from the Charlotte Checkers. If you can shut down those top lines, turn the puck over quickly to the offensive end, and keep the defense on their toes you can beat this squad.

Dov Grumet-Morris and Jacob Markstrom round out the goaltending duo in San Antonio, and both aren’t all that bad. But in the end, the transition game for the Rampage can be beat and when it does the Rampage give up a lot of room in front of the net. Thus the goaltenders see a lot of shots, some from point blank range. Both are solid tenders and will be fine in the post season as long as they have help directly in front of the net.

Ryan Keller and Josh Green both have three goals a piece in seven games played against the Rampage. LeNeveu has seen the Rampage 5 times (3-2) while Danis has only seen them twice (1-1). The Barons will likely need to score quickly and earn a multiple goal lead in order to defeat the Rampage. You don’t want to play this team close heading into the third because they’ll bite hard when you give up a 2 minute penalty deep in the game. The top line will likely be Cornet-Arcobello-Keller if the two meet, but don’t count out a Josh Green infusion on that top line or perhaps a Teemu Hartikainen spot on the left.

I think the Barons quickness can handle the Rampage game plan. They are defensively sharp, but not defensively demonstrative. They can be pushed around, and sometimes don’t have the ability to push back late in the game. However, that road warrior attitude might be tough for the Barons to handle and subsequently force the team to be dynamite on the PK (along with very few penalties taken).

As the season winds down, the final game for the Barons will be against San Antonio. If the Rampage indeed hang on to that final spot in the West, we might see a small preview of things to come.

Rampage Clear Day Roster:

Goaltenders: Dov Grumet-Morris, Jacob Markstrom

Defensemen: Michael Caruso, Roman Derlyuk, Colby Robak, Keith Seabrook, Tyson Strachan, Sean Sullivan, Nolan Yonkman

Forwards: Evan Barlow, Mark Cullen, Bracken Kearns, David Marshall, Jonathan Matsumoto, Wacey Rabbit, Greg Rallo, Michal Repik, Eric Selleck, Bill Thomas, Scott Timmins, Justin Vaive, James Wright

The Rampage have also listed forward Ondrej Roman as “In Residence” and can play if a member of the 22-man roster is injured or recalled.

Predicted Outcome: Barons in Five