The Prince Rupert Rampage’s bid to conquer the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL), and redeem last year’s first-round playoff exit will officially begin on Sep. 29.
The league finalized and released its schedule for the 2018-2019 season this week after months of waiting for teams to confirm their participation.
READ MORE: Ice Demons returning to CIHL for 2018-2019
The Kitimat Ice Demons were the last team to finalize their entry in early, and their return ensures that all five teams from last year will be competing again in a 16-game schedule.
“We’re really happy with that,” said Ron German, president of the CIHL. “It’s great, it’s good not to lose a team.”
The Prince Rupert Rampage’s season begins Sep. 29 on the road in Kitimat where they will look to avoid a repeat of last years 4-3 overtime loss to the Ice Demons.
The Rampage’s next game will be another road game on Oct. 5 against their heated rivals and reigning CIHL champion Terrace River Kings. Last season, the two teams played each other evenly, going 2-2-1 on the season, including a critical 8-5 victory on Jan. 20 which helped extend a four-game winning streak for the Rampage to end the season.
The team will return to Prince Rupert on Oct. 6 where they will host the Ice Demons once again in their home opener.
On Nov. 17 and 18, the Rampage will make their first extended road trip of the season to Williams Lake and Quesnel where they will take on the Stampeders and the Kangaroos.
READ MORE: Rampage season ends after loss to Williams Lake
The Rampage will look to continue their winning ways against the Kangaroos, whom they beat twice last season. Prince Rupert struggle much more against the veteran, disciplined Stampeders who beat the Rampage twice in their three regular season games, and eliminated the team from the playoffs last year in a two-game sweep.
Full Schedule:
Saturday September 29: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Kitimat Ice Demons
Friday October 5: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Terrace River Kings
Saturday October 6: Kitimat Ice Demons @ Prince Rupert Rampage
Saturday October 20: Quesnel Kangaroos @ Prince Rupert Rampage
Friday October 26: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Terrace River Kings
Saturday October 27: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Kitimat Ice Demons
Saturday November 10: Terrace River Kings @ Prince Rupert Rampage
Saturday November 17: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Williams Lake Stampeders
Sunday November 18: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Quesnel Kangaroos
Saturday December 8: Kitimat Ice Demons @ Prince Rupert Rampage
Friday December 14: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Kitimat Ice Demons
Saturday December 15: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Terrace River Kings
Friday January 18: Prince Rupert Rampage @ Kitimat Ice Demons
Saturday January 19: Terrace River Kings @ Prince Rupert Rampage
Saturday January 26: Williams Lake Stampeders @ Prince Rupert Rampage
Sunday January 27: Quesnel Kangaroos @ Prince Rupert Rampage
matthew.allen@thenorthernview.com
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