ECHL Ontario Reign

Grizzlies Take One From Reign, 3-2

November 6, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Reign right wing Brad Mehalko and center Tim Kraus each notched a power play goal in a 3-2 loss against the Utah Grizzlies in front of 2,275 at the E-Center Wednesday evening.

Tonight's match-up between the Ontario Reign (4-4-0, 8 points) and Center Tim Kraus (1g, 1a) in match-up the Utah Grizzlies (5-2-0, 10 points) marks the first of the season between the two teams, and the first of a 3-game stand in Utah in four days. The Grizzlies found the net first on a power play goal from forward Tom May at 4:22 in the first period. Reign right wing Brad Mehalko scored the team's first goal on the night, and his second of the year, as the Reign came back finding the net with three minutes left in the first period. Defenseman Dan Knapp and center Tim Kraus tallied the assists, and the two teams remained tied, 1-1, ending the first.

Utah was the only team to get on the board in the second period, as left wing Ryan Kinasewich got the puck past Reign goaltender Jeff Zatkoff on a shorthanded goal seven minutes into the stanza.

The Grizzlies held their 2-1 lead heading into the third, until Reign center Tim Kraus scored his first goal on the year and the Reign's second power play goal on the evening, as he slipped the puck past Grizzlies' goaltender Mike Mole at 4 minutes into the third, tying the game 2-2. Reign defenseman Dan Knapp notched his second assist on the night and Geoff Walker registered his sixth assist on the season on Kraus' goal. The back-and-forth battle of special teams continued; with the Grizzlies scoring their second power play goal of the evening, and the eventual game winner, off of a goal from forward James Sixsmith at 15:13 in the third. The teams ended the match with a final score Reign, 2, Grizzlies, 3.

Reign Goaltender Jeff Zatkoff stopped 34 of 37 shots he faced in the loss, ending tonight's game with an overall save-percentage of .936 on the season.

Notes: Tonight's loss ended Jon Francisco's 6-game point streak and 2-game goal streak (4g,4a). Prior to this evening's game, the Ontario Reign released right wing Itan Chavira and center Jon Francisco was activated from the 3-day IR. Left wing Ryan MacGregor was placed on Ontario's 3-day IR, forward Mike Howe was placed on the 7-day IR and defenseman Ryan Card was moved to the 30-day IR, to complete the Reign's transactions.

REIGN DROPS: The Reign take on the Grizzles in the second game of a 3-game match-up on Friday, Nov. 7 at the E-Center and return home on Wednesday, Nov. 12 for their first game of the season against the Stockton Thunder at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

The Reign presents Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, November 15. Come join the Reign as they honor the United States military and take on the Stockton Thunder. All military that present their military ID card at the Citizens Business Bank Arena box office will receive an upper end ticket for only $6! Doors open at 6 p.m. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

Season tickets and mini-plans for the Ontario Reign's Inaugural season presented by the Mission Inn are on sale and offer an affordable entertainment option for families and residents of the Inland Empire. For more information about Reign season tickets or mini-plans contact the Reign office at (909) 941-PUCK (7825) or visit www.ontarioreign.com.

Single game tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, at all TicketMaster locations, or by calling (213) 480-3232.

Check out the Ontario Reign Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 6, 2008


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