Reign Storm Grizzlies with 5-2 Game 1 Win
April 3, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign, back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, used an early first period surge to beat the Utah Grizzlies 5-2 in Game One on Tuesday night at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
The Reign came blazing out of the gates with three goals in a span of 2:50 to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
C.J. Stretch and Kyle Kraemer started the onslaught with a give-and-go play coming into the Grizzlies zone. Stretch picked up Kraemer's pass and fired a shot from the high slot past Ben Meisner at 4:16 for the first goal of the 2013 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
At 5:25 Kevin Estrada deflected a shot in off a hard shot from the point from Adrian Van de Mosselaer. Cameron Burt earned the secondary assist on the play.
Rolling with the momentum of the first two goals, rookie Nick Ebert scored his first professional goal to give Ontario a quick 3-0 lead. The defenseman was set up by Kyle Kraemer and Derek Couture for a one-timer from the top of the right face-off circle.
After allowing three goals less than halfway into the first period, Meisner was relieved by Grizzlies goaltender Shane Owen.
Before the period was over, the Grizzlies got their first tally from Ryan Howse. Riley Armstrong and Nick Tuzzolino worked the puck along the boards and found a wide-open Howse at the right circle who fired on an open cage.
Utah opened the scoring for the second frame just 2:06 into play. David Eddy caught JF Berube off guard and found the back of the net with a backhanded, top shelf shot.
With just 3:53 left in the second period, Kraemer scored a beautiful wraparound goal off a pass from Couture.
The final goal of the game was another Kraemer and Couture product. With the man-advantage, Couture sent a quick pass across to Kraemer who wristed a long shot past Owen for a final score of 5-2.
Berube earned the win with 17 saves on 19 shots; Meisner took the Grizzlies loss allowing three goals on eight shots. Owen stopped 30 of the Reign's next 32 shots.
Three Stars:
1. ONT - Kyle Kraemer
2. ONT - Derek Couture
3. ONT - Nick Ebert
Reign Drops:
Don't miss a second of Kelly Cup Playoff action! The Reign return to Citizens Business Bank Arena tomorrow, Wednesday, Apr. 3 at 7:00 p.m. for Game Two of the first round against the Utah Grizzlies. The Reign need all the support they can get from their loyal fans so be sure to join in on the best action in the Inland Empire! Don't forget to stop by the Reign merchandise booth to purchase 2013 Kelly Cup Reign gear to support the team through their journey to the Kelly Cup. Click HERE for tickets to tomorrow's game.
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