Helenius Scores Late to Lift Reign
October 13, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Samuel Helenius scored late in the third period to tie the game and then won it with a second goal in the final minute, giving the Ontario Reign (1-1-0-0) a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda (1-1-0-0) on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Arena.
Pheonix Copley, who played in his first game since suffering an injury last December, secured the win for Ontario with 19 saves in his return. The Reign also got a goal and an assist from both Tyler Madden and Martin Chromiak in the victory, the team's first of 2024-25.
Down by a 3-2 score for over 35 minutes, Ontario had its net empty with 1:15 remaining in the third period when Glenn Gawdin slid a pass to Helenius on the inside of the right circle. The big center blasted the puck past goaltender Georgi Romanov for his first goal of the season to even things up at 3-3.
Then 41 seconds later, it was Jeff Malott who backhanded the puck to Helenius in a similar position on the ice for the winning tally with just 34 seconds left.
Copley denied multiple opportunities for the Barracuda in the closing seconds to preserve the newfound lead and earn his first AHL victory since Nov. 23, 2022.
Madden opened the scoring for Ontario 1:33 into the first period to give the Reign an initial lead after they had been blanked the day before on opening night. The first goal of the season for Ontario came off a lively bounce off the end boards and had assists to both Chromiak and Jakub Dvorak, who recorded his first point in his AHL debut and first professional game in North America.
San Jose evened things up at 1-1 on a goal by Tristen Robins at 4:24 and eventually took their first lead of the day later in the first at 11:04 on a Collin Graf tally.
Filip Bystedt extended the Barracuda advantage to 3-1 at 1:50 of the second period, but Chromiak responded for Ontario just 22 seconds later with his first goal of the year at 2:12, which had a single assist credited to Madden.
The game remained 3-2 all the way until Helenius' heroics late in the third period. Despite no changes on the scoreboard, it wasn't for lack of effort by the Reign, who piled up 39 total shots on Romanov with 16 coming in the third period alone.
Ontario secured the comeback win despite no help from its power play, which came up empty on six opportunities in the game. San Jose also went scoreless on the man-advantage on three chances.
Below, hear thoughts from Reign head coach Marco Sturm, Chromiak and Copley after the win -
Ontario will complete its season-opening three-game homestand on Friday night when they host Bakersfield at Toyota Arena at 7 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from October 13, 2024
- Wranglers Clinch Victory in Shootout - Calgary Wranglers
- Barracuda Squander Late Lead, Fall 4-3 - San Jose Barracuda
- Helenius Scores Late to Lift Reign - Ontario Reign
- Despite Miroshnichenko Hat Trick, Bears Fall 6-3 - Hershey Bears
- Iowa Falls 3-2 to Manitoba on Shaw's Late Winner - Iowa Wild
- Hat Trick from Del Bel Belluz Leads Monsters to 6-3 Win over Bears - Cleveland Monsters
- Mason Shaw scores game-winning goal for Moose in his return to Iowa - Manitoba Moose
- Gulls Fall at Toronto to Cap Opening Weekend - San Diego Gulls
- Penguins Defeat Thunderbirds, 4-1, for First Win - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Canucks Fall to the Wranglers 4-3 in a Shootout Loss - Abbotsford Canucks
- Appleby Outduels Skarek in Shutout Loss - Bridgeport Islanders
- T-Birds Forced to Settle for Weekend Split - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Checkers Shut out Bridgeport Islanders 3-0 - Charlotte Checkers
- McDonough's Hat Trick Powers Checkers' Season-Opening Win - Charlotte Checkers
- Game Preview: Iowa Wild vs. Manitoba Moose - Iowa Wild
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Monsters, 5 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Preview: Islanders vs. Checkers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Barracuda Top Reign, 5-0 - Ontario Reign
- Askarov Blanks Reign 5-0 in Season Opener - San Jose Barracuda
- Silver Knights Edge Stars to Split Weekend Series - Texas Stars
- Griffins Drop Road Opener 4-1 at Rockford - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Laczynski, Lindbom Power Silver Knights to 5-4 Victory Over Stars in First Win of the Season - Henderson Silver Knights
- Specialty Teams Propel Roadrunners To 4-2 Win Over Colorado - Colorado Eagles
- Roadrunners Split Opening Series After 4-2 Victory Over Colorado - Tucson Roadrunners
- Game Day Preview - CGY vs ABB - Calgary Wranglers
- Commesso, Balanced Offense Lead Hogs - Rockford IceHogs
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.
