SAN ANTONIO 6, LAKE ERIE 2
David Spina scored three times for his first career AHL hat trick as San Antonio cruised past visiting Lake Erie by a 6-2 count at the AT&T Center on New Year’s Day. San Antonio is now 10-3-0-0 in its last 13 contests.
Spina (pictured) netted a goal in each period and scored one of the Rampage’s three power play goals on the afternoon (3-for-6).
Alexander Nikulin and ex-Monster Wyatt Smith both had a goal and an assist for the Rampage, while captain Jeff Hoggan also found the back of the net.
David Schlemko and Alex Bourret contributed a pair of helpers apiece in the victory, and goaltender Al Montoya earned his first win since Oct. 25 by stopping 24 of 26 shots sent his way. Montoya also picked up an assist on Spina’s second goal of the tilt, which came at 6:10 of the second period.
Lake Erie’s Chris Durno tallied an unassisted shorthanded goal in the opening period, and Codey Burki added a late third-period goal for the Monsters, who will return home to battle Syracuse on Saturday.
