Backman, Reign Roll Past Gulls in Dramatic Fashion
December 14, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
San Diego, CA - Forward Sean Backman buried the game-winning goal with 1:35 left and snapped a lengthy goal drought to help the Ontario Reign (11-5-5-0) over the San Diego Gulls (11-9-1-0) 3-2 at Valley View Casino Center Tuesday night. The win sends the Reign's unbeaten streak to six contests (5-0-1-0).
Game Summary
Both sides failed to find the back of the net in the first period, but generated scoring changes. The Gulls raced out to an early shot advantage before the Reign found their stride and led through 20 minutes, 14-9.
Reign defenseman Zac Leslie broke open the scoring midway through the second period as he moved around the right-wing circle to rip a shot past the glove of Gulls netminder Dustin Tokarski (L, 29 saves on 32 shots). Forward Andrew Crescenzi and defenseman Rob Scuderi picked up assists. The Gulls responded late in the frame as forward Chris Wagner blocked a Vincent LoVerde pass on the power play and raced in on a shorthanded breakaway to beat goalie Jack Campbell (W, 18 saves on 20 shots) past the blocker at 18:31.
The Gulls claimed the lead 31 seconds into the third period as forward Nick Sorensen lifted a shot over the glove of Campbell. Moments later, Reign forward Michael Latta caught a feed from Joel Lowry and ripped in his second goal of the season at 4:51 to make it 2-2.
With the clock winding down and the Reign pressuring, Backman stopped a rolling puck outside of the crease, faked around Tokarski and buried the game-winning maker and a snapped a 14-game goal drought at 18:25. The Reign finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play while the Gulls went 0-for-1.
Celebrate the Holidays with the Ontario Reign tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10 against the Stockton Heat at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. Buy Tickets
Enjoy $2 Bud Light Friday on December 16 at 7:00 p.m. against the Bakersfield Condors! Buy Tickets
Become a "Fan" of the Reign on Facebook at Facebook.com/OntarioReign, join the conversation on Twitter at Twitter.com/OntarioReign and follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/OntarioReignHockey .
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from December 14, 2016
- Four-Goal Second Not Enough in Loss to Phantoms - Bridgeport Islanders
- Wolf Pack Drop 6-2 Decision to Hartford - Hartford Wolf Pack
- McCormick's Three-Point Night Lifts B-Sens 4-3 in OT over IceCaps - Binghamton Senators
- Comets Suffer Overtime Loss to Devils - Utica Comets
- Monsters Claim Fourth Straight Win, 4-3 Over Iowa in OT - Cleveland Monsters
- Di Giuseppe Lifts Checkers to Overtime Win over Moose - Charlotte Checkers
- Penguins Defeat Wolf Pack, 6-2 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Pietila's Pair Lift Devils to OT Win - Albany Devils
- Manitoba Falls in OT - Manitoba Moose
- IceCaps Drop 4-3 OT Decision to Senators - St. John's IceCaps
- Wild Rallys for a Point in Cleveland - Iowa Wild
- Receive a Free T-Shirt When You Shop at the Hogs Online Store - Rockford IceHogs
- Rangers Assign Nicklas Jensen to Hartford - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Ontario Reign Game Preview: Reign and Heat Collide Tonight in Ontario - Ontario Reign
- Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Cory Conacher, Reassign Luke Witkowski - Syracuse Crunch
- Amerks Recall Karabacek from Elmira; Vail Released from PTO - Rochester Americans
- Boston Recalls Grzelcyk for First NHL Stint - Providence Bruins
- Sound Tigers Clash with the Phantoms Tonight - Bridgeport Islanders
- Backman, Reign Roll Past Gulls in Dramatic Fashion - Ontario Reign
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.
