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AHL Ontario Reign

Ontario Reign Game Preview: Reign and Gulls Return to Battle Tonight in Game 4

May 13, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


Ontario Reign vs. the San Diego Gulls
Ontario Reign vs. the San Diego Gulls
(Ontario Reign)

Ontario, CA - The Ontario Reign, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), take on the San Diego Gulls in Game 4 of the Pacific Division Finals tonight at 7:05 PT at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA. The Reign lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1.

Pacific Division Finals - (best-of-seven)

Ontario Reign vs. San Diego Gulls

Game 1 - at Ontario 5-3 Win Box Score Highlights

Game 2 - at San Diego 2-1 Overtime Win Box Score Highlights

Game 3 - at Ontario 3-0 Loss Box Score Highlights

Game 4 - Fri., May 13 - Ontario at San Diego, 7:05

Game 5 - Sat., May 14 - San Diego at Ontario, 7:00 Buy Tickets Value Pack

*Game 6 - Mon., May 16 - Ontario at San Diego, 7:05

*Game 7 - Wed., May 18 - San Diego at Ontario, 7:00

*if necessary... All times Pacific

Game 1 Recap:

The Reign raced out to a 2-0 lead after one period off goals from Michael Mersch and Vincent LoVerde (power play), but the Gulls fought back early in the second period to even the contest. With momentum teetering between the two teams, Reign forward Joel Lowry pulled it back with a late second-period marker to make it 3-2. In the final frame, Mersch and defenseman Jeff Schultz (empty net, shorthanded) sealed the 5-3 victory with a pair of markers to smother a late Gulls charge.

Game 2 Recap:

Gulls forward Nick Ritchie struck early in the first period, but the Reign fought back and capitalized on an early third-period power play as forward Kris Newbury deflected in a shot from defenseman Vincent LoVerde. Gulls goaltender Matt Hackett kept the contest locked 1-1 with numerous saves until forward Justin Auger buried the game-winning tally at 11:55 of overtime for a 2-1 Reign victory.

Game 3 Recap:

After battling in a physical Game 2 the night before, the Reign and Gulls returned to Citizens Business Bank Arena for Game 3. Late in the first period, the Gulls took a 1-0 lead off a late tally from forward Kalle Kossila and forward Nick Ritchie added a power-play marker in the third period to hold the momentum in an eventual 3-0 victory. Defenseman Jacob Megna found the empty net at 16:49 and netminder Matt Hackett (29 saves) earned the shutout victory.

Fighting for the Top Spot:

Reign forward Michael Mersch (two goals, one assist) and Gulls forwards Nick Ritchie (two goals, one assist) and Chris Muller (three assists) are tied for the series lead with three points each.

Goaltenders Duel:

Through three games, Reign goaltender Peter Budaj (1.88 goals-against average) and Gulls netminder Matt Hackett (1.89 goals-against average) have each allowed six goals. Budaj holds a .914 save percentage while Hackett sits with a .941 save percentage.

Rivalry Renewed:

Over 12 heated regular-season meetings, the Reign went 4-6-1-1 against the Gulls. Forward Adrian Kempe (five goals, two assists) and defenseman Vincent LoVerde (one goal, six assists) led the Reign with seven points against the Gulls. Gulls defenseman Brandon Montour and forward Chris Mueller led the series with one goal and seven assists each. Reign goalie Peter Budaj went 4-5-2 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .921 save percentage while Gulls netminder Anton Khudobin went 5-2-0 with a 2.25 GAA and .929 save percentage.

Similar Paths to the Division Finals:

The Reign and Gulls reach the Pacific Division Finals after both completing their best-of-five first-round series in four contests and each suffering their only loss in Game 2 of the series. The Reign took out the San Jose Barracuda while the Gulls prevailed over the Texas Stars.

Broadcast Central

Listen Live: OntarioReign.com; LA Kings Mobile App

Watch Live: AHL Live

Twitter: @OntarioReign

Facebook: OntarioReign

Tonight's Game Notes

2016 Calder Cup Playoff tickets are ON SALE NOW! Grab your favorite seats for all the hard-hitting postseason action as the Reign chase a Calder Cup Championship! Black out the Bank for Game 5 tomorrow, Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 and Game 7, if necessary, is Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. Wear your favorite black Reign or LA Kings gear!

Reign Value Deal - Playoff Ticket, Hot Dog and Soda Starting at $25! Score big with this exclusive value offer to see the Ontario Reign in the Calder Cup Playoffs! Get a ticket to the game and enjoy a hot dog and soda while you take in the action on the ice!

2015-16 Postseason Records

Ontario: 5-2, 2-1 in series

San Diego: 4-3, 1-2 in series

2015-2016 Records

Ontario: 44-19-4-1, 93 points, .684 winning percentage (1st place, Pacific Division)

San Diego: 39-23-4-2, 82 points, .618 winning percentage (2nd place, Pacific Division)

Ontario vs. San Diego, Head-to-Head in 2015-16

4-6-1-1

Ontario vs. San Diego, 2015-16 Season Schedule

Nov. 5: San Diego at Ontario 4-1 Win Box Score

Nov. 27: Ontario at San Diego 3-2 Loss Box Score

Nov. 28: San Diego at Ontario 3-1 Loss Box Score

Dec. 19: San Diego at Ontario 3-2 Shootout Loss Box Score

Dec. 26: Ontario at San Diego 4-1 Loss Box Score

Jan. 15: San Diego at Ontario 5-0 Win Box Score

Jan. 29: Ontario at San Diego 2-0 Win Box Score

Feb. 20: Ontario at San Diego 4-2 Loss Box Score

Mar. 12: San Diego at Ontario 2-1 Overtime Loss Box Score

Mar. 19: San Diego at Ontario 4-1 Loss Box Score

Apr. 15: Ontario at San Diego 4-2 Win Box Score

Apr. 16: Ontario at San Diego 3-2 Loss Box Score

Head Coaches

Ontario: Mike Stothers (2nd season with LA Kings affiliate, 1st with Ontario)

San Diego: Dallas Eakins (1st year with Anaheim Ducks affiliate, 1st with San Diego)

NHL Affiliate

Ontario: Los Angeles Kings

San Diego: Anaheim Ducks

ECHL Affiliate

Ontario: Manchester Monarchs

San Diego: Utah Grizzlies

Check out the Ontario Reign Statistics




Images from this story

Ontario Reign vs. the San Diego Gulls
Ontario Reign vs. the San Diego Gulls
   



American Hockey League Stories from May 13, 2016


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