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Game Preview - Ontario Reign at Idaho Steelheads

January 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


Reign Game - 39 | Reign Away Game - 23 | ECHL Game - 386

Arena: CenturyLink Arena, Boise, Idaho

Date: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015

Time: 6:15 p.m. (PST)

Watch & Listen: ECHL.TV, powered by NeuLion

Follow: Facebook - Twitter

TONIGHT:

The Ontario Reign (22-10-2-4) play their second game in as many nights against the Idaho Steelheads (23-11-1-3). Both teams have been among the hottest in the ECHL, with each club going eight games without having suffered a regulation loss until Friday night, when Ontario extended its streak to nine games with a win over Idaho. The Reign are 4-1-0-1 in Boise this season; the two teams will face each other again at the end of the month when the Steelheads visit Citizens Business Bank Arena for three games to complete the regular season series.

Entering tonight's game, both clubs have identical 4-3-0-1 records against each other. Both teams have the same number of points (50) and identical win percentages (.658), but Idaho maintains the top seed in the Pacific Division due to more wins

CHRISTIE POISED TO HIT 500TH CAREER VICTORY AS HEAD COACH:

After hanging up his skates following a Kelly Cup win with the Peoria Rivermen in 2000, Jason Christie stepped behind the bench of the Riverman and has never looked back, becoming one of the winningest coaches in minor league hockey. After additional head coaching gigs with the Utah Grizzlies and the Central Hockey League's Bloomington PrairieThunder, Christie came to the Reign organization in 2012, where he has led the club to three straight Pacific Division titles, and is currently the club's leader in career coaching wins with 155; his next victory will give him 500 career head coaching wins between the ECHL and CHL (Lifetime: 499-295-101).

CARZO CONTINUES TO SCORCH STEELHEADS:

Sophomore forward Rocco Carzo has rounded into mid-season form over the last 13 games, posting seven goals and five assists in that span, while typically centering Ontario's second forward line. His game-winner against Idaho on Friday moved him into sixth in team scoring (12g-9a), and gave him his team-leading sixth goal against the Steelheads this season.

EZEKIEL CHIPPING IN:

Norm Ezekiel's assist on Tyler Scofield's goal in the first period on Friday gave him his first point against the Steelheads this season; he currently is the team leader in plus-minus with a +3 and has consistently set a physical tone against Idaho, as evidenced by his scrap with Devin DiDiomete in the second period.

SCORING FIRST CRITICAL:

As demonstrated last night, getting the first goal often proves instrumental towards victory. The Reign and Steelheads sport nearly identical records when getting the first goal (17-2-0-2 vs. 17-2-0-3); this will no doubt serve as a large factor in tonight's game as well.

14-15 HEAD-to-HEAD

10/25 - ONT vs IDH L, 1-4

11/19 - ONT at IDH L, 3-4

11/20 - ONT at IDH W, 4-1

11/22 - ONT at IDH W, 2-1

12/17 - ONT vs IDH L, 1-6

12/26 - ONT at IDH W, 5-4 SO

12/27 - ONT at IDH L, 3-4 SO

01/16 - ONT at IDH W, 3-2

01/17 - ONT at IDH

01/28 - ONT vs IDH

01/30 - ONT vs IDH

01/31 - ONT vs IDH

REIGN TRACKER:

- Jason Christie - 1 win from 500 career pro head coaching wins (499-295-101)

- Derek Couture - 1 goal from passing Kyle Kraemer for Reign all-time goals mark (currently 83)

- Tristan King - 3 points from 150 career pro points

- Jeff May - 5 points from 100 career pro points

- Jussi Olkinuora - 5-game win streak

- Matt White - 3-game point streak (1g-3a)

- Rocco Carzo - 2-game goal streak (2g)

- Norm Ezekiel - 2-game assist streak

REIGN RECORDS:

Current streak: 8-0-0-1

Last 5 games: 5-0-0-0

Last 10 games: 8-1-0-1

In Jan: 5-0-0-0

Home: 9-4-2-1

Away: 13-6-0-3

Vs. Pacific Div.: 22-10-2-4

Vs. Central Div.: 0-0-0-0

Vs. Western Conf.: 22-10-2-4

Power-play: 28/145 (19.3%)

Penalty kill: 29/161 (82.0%)

RECENT MOVES:

01/14 - ADD Czarnik (traded from Indy)

01/13 - DEL Arseneau (recalled to Manchester [AHL])

01/13 - ADD Roach (activated from injured reserve)

01/13 - DEL Hood (placed on reserve)

01/13 - DEL King (placed on 21-day IR [12/27])

01/13 - ADD Yablonski (signed contract)

01/04 - ADD Register (returned from Chicago [AHL])

01/03 - ADD Ramsay (activated from injured reserve)

01/03 - DEL Kitsyn (recalled to Manchester [AHL] by Los Angeles [NHL])

01/03 - DEL Parent (Loaned to St. John's [AHL])

12/29 - DEL Freibergs (recalled to St. John's (AHL))

12/27 - ADD Sheen (activated from reserve)

12/27 - DEL King (placed on reserve)

NEXT GAME:

The Reign take on the Utah Grizzlies at Maverik Center on Monday, Jan. 19 at 12:35 p.m. (PST).

Reign Drops :

Ontario's next home game on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. against the Idaho Steelheads is a Mountain Mike's Pizza 2-for-1 Wednesday. Stop by your local participating Mountain Mike's Pizza to pick up your 2-for-1 ticket vouchers with any purchase.

Immediately following the game against the Steelheads, fans can meet the Reign players during the Post-Game Player Party at Boston's Restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga, located at 11260 4th Street (at 4th & Milliken, across from the Ontario Mills Mall). Show your ticket stub and receive 15% off your food purchase that night!

The Ontario Reign Stretch Run Plan is back! Fans can now purchase their plans for as little as $45. Each Stretch Run Plans includes a ticket to four pre-selected games, free parking and a free pass to Knott's Berry Farm (valued at $65)!


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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