Mersch Leads Reign Past Moose, 4-1
January 21, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Ontario Reign Battle the Manitoba Moose
(Ontario Reign)
FOR IMOntario, CA - Forward Michael Mersch scored a goal and tallied two assists to power the Ontario Reign (22-10-2-1) past the Manitoba Moose (11-21-2-3), 4-1, on Wednesday night at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
"It was great to have all four lines going tonight," said Mersch who fueled Ontario's offense with his three-point game. "It allowed us to keep everybody fresh on the bench ... we had everybody contributing and scoring goals and it's time to win games."
Netminder Peter Budaj recorded his 200th professional win with 23 saves on 24 shots. The Reign have won three of the last four games.
Manitoba scored first at 6:37 of the first period after forward Chase De Leo fed the puck to forward Nic Petan who fired it past Budaj.
At 16:04, Ontario tied it up with a power-play goal from forward Valentin Zykov. Defenseman Jeff Schultz made a pass across the ice to Mersch who found Zykov for his fifth goal of the season.
Mersch netted his team-leading 13th goal of the 2015-16 campaign, his first since returning from the Los Angeles Kings, at 16:01 of the middle stanza with a slap shot from the left point with help from forwards Derek Army and Justin Auger.
Just 58 seconds later, forward Ryan Horvat extended the Reign lead, 3-1, assisted by defenseman Derek Forbort and forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas. Forbort's shot tipped in the front of the net and Horvat shoveled it past netminder Eric Comrie to secure a two-point lead. Comrie finished the night with 27 stops on 31 attempts.
Manitoba's closest chance came in the third period as they pulled Comrie for the extra attacker while on the power play, but the Reign defense kept them off the board. Less than two minutes later, the Reign went on a power play of their own after the Moose were called for too many men on the ice. Comrie left the net once again, and forward Sean Backman buried a shot into the wide open net on a Mersch pass.
"We are comfortable. We know each other, our tendencies and whatnot," said Backman regarding his chemistry with Mersch and forward Nic Dowd. "We just come and play our game every night."
The Ontario Reign close a five-game homestand on Friday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. against the San Jose Barracuda at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Enjoy $2 20-ounce beers at the contest and grab a game ticket, hot dog and soda for as little as $25 with the Reign Value Pack!
Drop the gloves against breast cancer with the Ontario Reign this February on Pink in the Rink! On Friday, February 5, the ice at Citizens Business Bank Arena turns into a frozen pond of pink and the Reign will wear special pinked themed jerseys and host a jersey auction benefiting Susan G. Komen Inland Empire. We want you to join the fight! Grab an exclusive Reign Pink Pack for as little as $30! You get a game ticket with best available seating, exclusive Pink in the Rink t-shirt and a donation to Susan G. Komen! Grab yours NOW at OntarioReign.com and join the fight!
Push the Reign into the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs! The Reign Stretch-Run Pack is on sale now! Grab tickets to four great Reign games, free parking, a $10 gift certificate to Team LA and grab Reign merchandise and a $10 gift certificate to Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que! Packs start as low as $49!
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 Ontario Reign Battle the Manitoba Moose |
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