ECHL Ontario Reign

Las Vegas Folds to Ontario in 5-4 OT Thriller

December 17, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


LAS VEGAS, NV - The Ontario Reign (17-3-1-3), back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, battled back to beat the Las Vegas Wranglers (8-13-3-0) 5-4 at Orleans Arena. The game began Monday night and ended in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

An exciting game ended with the Reign scoring to tie with just seven seconds on the clock and less than a minute into overtime - to win it for their eighth straight road game with at least a point; a new club record.

Cody Sol scored his second goal in as many games at the 13:46 mark of the first period. J.T. Barnett and Mike Towns earned the assists as they brought the play into the Wranglers zone with solid passing plays. Barnett's drop pass to Sol gave the defenseman a clear shot from the left point. Before the end of the first period, the Wranglers tied the game with Chris Francis' shot getting past Michael Hutchinson short-side at 14:57.

The Wranglers didn't waste any time in the second period when John Armstrong received a quick pass while in the slot and beat Hutchinson's blocker side to give his team a 2-1 lead just 1:11 into the frame. Las Vegas made the most of a Reign penalty with a power-play goal to put them up 3-1 in the second period. Hutchinson was sprawled across the goal line and the puck found its way past the goaltender's right skate.

Before time expired in the second period, Kyle Kraemer got on the board with a point-shot wrister to bring the Reign within one heading into the third period trailing 2-3. Eric Springer had the lone helper on the power-play goal.

Jake Hauswirth earned his first goal of the season and tied the game at 12:29 in the third period with a quick shot from the slot that went five-hole on Travis Fullerton; Kraemer and Brett Beebe recorded the assists. A Reign turnover allowed for John Armstrong to get in close to Hutchinson and beat him with a top shelf shot.

With a mere seven seconds left in regulation, rookie Matt White lit the lamp from the top of the crease to tie the game 4-4 in true Las Vegas show-stopping style. The clock ticked down to zero forcing overtime for the tenth time this season.

Matt Register didn't wait to end the game and off a one-timer feed from Mario Lamoureux, Register won the game for the Reign for his third overtime winner setting another team record.

Hutchinson took the win with 25 saves; Fullerton battled hard but took the loss with 50 saves.

Three Stars:

1. ONT - Matt Register

2. LV - Matt Tassone

3. LV - John Armstrong

Reign Drops:

The Reign return home on Friday, Dec. 20 for Faith & Family and Ugly Sweater Night ! The puck drops between the Reign and the Thunder at 7 p.m. Not only do you need to remember your ugly sweaters to win a prize, but bring new toys for the CHiPs 4 Kids toy drive at Citizens Business Bank Arena! The last home game of 2013 is Sunday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. with another game against the Thunder. This is a Farmer John 2-for-1 hot dog night and a Boston's Post-Game Player Party! Don't miss either of these games - it's a perfect way to spend the holidays with friends and family.

Still have people on your shopping list that you don't know what to get? Get them an Ontario Reign Holiday Pack! Starting at just $79, this is the perfect gift for anyone! The packs include a ticket for five Reign games, free parking, and a free admission voucher to Knott's Berry Farm, while supplies last! Purchase your HOLIDAY PACK today or call the Reign front office at 909-941-PUCK (7825).

Check out the Ontario Reign Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 17, 2013


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