ECHL Ontario Reign

Playoff Game Preview - Ontario Reign vs. Idaho Steelheads

Published on April 30, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


Round 2 Game 6

Arena: Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario CA

Date: Tuesday, Apr. 30

Time: 7:00 p.m. (PT)

Video Webcast: America ONE Networks

Audio Webcast: Jesse Liebman - Pre-game show at 6:40 p.m.

TONIGHT:

The Ontario Reign (6-1-2) are back at home to face the Idaho Steelheads (6-3-1) for Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. After tough losses in Idaho, the Reign are looking to even the series tonight at three games apiece. A Reign win tonight would force a Game 7 to ultimately decide which team will advance to the Conference Finals to face either the Alaska Aces or Stockton Thunder.

HOME ICE ADVANTAGE:

The Reign have played four games at home at this point and have a 3-0-1 record. The overtime loss came at the hands of the Steelheads in Game 1. When at home, the Reign have outscored their opponents 19-7 and outshot them 135-92. The Reign's only shutout was on home ice when they beat the Steelheads 5-0 in Game 2. The Reign's special teams have been brilliant in Ontario with a perfect penalty kill and all of their playoff power-play goals happening at Citizens Business Bank Arena; at least one per game.

BREAKING THE STREAK:

The Reign enjoyed a 4-game winning streak with the Grizzlies sweep; the Reign's first playoff advancement and first time not playing all possible games in a series. The Steelheads 3-2 overtime win broke the winning streak. The Reign came back to win two and now, with two losses, need two wins to keep moving on.

BETWEEN THE PIPES:

Berube and Robinson have been outstanding for their teams through the playoffs. The Reign's goalie ranks second with a 1.86 goals-against average and 0.925 save percentage. He's played in all but 20 minutes of the Reign's nine games. Robinson has a 0.922 save percentage and 2.52 goals-against average in seven appearances.

ALL OR NOTHING:

The Reign are in a tough position being down 3-2. Tonight is an "all or nothing" game in terms of getting the win. If the Reign win Game 6 they will force the deciding Game 7 - scheduled to be played Wednesday, May 1 in Ontario. If the Reign fall to the Steelheads tonight they will be knocked out of the playoffs and the season will come to an end.

EYE ON THE CONFERENCE FINALS:

Each ECHL Semifinal series could end tonight. Other than the Reign game, the Western Conference Semifinal between the Alaska Aces and Stockton Thunder could come to a close with a Stockton win as they lead the series 3-2 and play tonight. In the east, both Reading and Cincinnati lead their series 3-2 over the Florida Everblades and Gwinnett Gladiators, respectively.

SEASON SERIES:

10/24: ONT @ IDH....L, 2-7

10/26: ONT @ IDH....L, 2-6

12/8: ONT vs IDH....L, 2-3

12/9: ONT vs IDH....W, 5-4 OT

12/15: ONT vs IDH....W, 6-2

2/16: ONT vs IDH....L, 2-4

3/20: ONT @ IDH....W, 5-3

3/22: ONT @ IDH....L, 0-3

3/23: ONT @ IDH....W, 5-0

2013 PLAYOFFS:

4/2: ONT vs UTA....W, 5-2

4/3: ONT vs UTA....W, 7-2

4/5: ONT at UTA....W, 2-1 OT

4/6: ONT at UTA....W, 2-1 OT

4/19: ONT vs IDH....L, 2-3 OT

4/20: ONT vs IDH....W, 5-0

4/24: ONT @ IDH....W, 2-1

4/26: ONT @ IDH....L, 0-6

4/27: ONT @ IDH....L, 1-2 OT

4/30: ONT vs IDH

5/1: ONT vs IDH if necessary

STREAKS:

Estrada: 1-game goal (1g)

Calla: 1-game assist (1a)

REIGN TRACKER (ECHL active roster rankings):

Couture: Tied for league-lead with +9

Berube: 2nd in ECHL with 1.86 GAA, 3rd with 6 wins

Register: 2nd among rookies/1st among defensemen with +7

Ebert: 2nd among defensemen with 7 pts

LEADERS:

Points: Couture 9

Goals: Stretch 5, Estrada/Lamoureux are tied at 3

Assists: Couture 7

+/-: Couture +8

PIM: Calla 22

SOG: Couture 29

NEXT GAME:

Game 7, if necessary, will be played Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

Check out the Ontario Reign Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 30, 2013


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