
Ontario Reign Game Preview: Reign Celebrate Mother's Day with Game 3 Action Tonight
May 8, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Ontario, CA - The Ontario Reign, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), host the San Diego Gulls in Game 3 of the Pacific Division Finals tonight at 7:00 PT at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Reign lead the best-of-seven series, 2-0.
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 - Sun., May 8 - San Diego at Ontario, 7:00 Buy Tickets Value Pack
Game 4 - Fri., May 13 - Ontario at San Diego, 7:05
*Game 5 - Sat., May 14 - San Diego at Ontario, 7:00
*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.
Power Play Shining:
After scoring just one power-play goal in the opening-round series vs. San Jose, the Reign have grabbed man-advantage markers in each for the first two games vs. San Diego (2-for-9).
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
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! If necessary, Game 5 is Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 and Game 7 is Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. Buy Tickets
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: 5-1
San Diego: 3-3
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
Images from this story
![]() Ontario Reign Celebrate a Goal vs. the San Diego Gulls |
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American Hockey League Stories from May 8, 2016
- Lappin's Heroics Propel Devils to OT Win - Albany Devils
- Toronto Marlies Post Game Notes - Toronto Marlies
- Griffins Suffer Third One-Goal Loss of Series - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Monsters Hang on for 2-1 Game-Three Win in Grand Rapids - Cleveland Monsters
- Minnesota Wild Agrees to Terms with Bruce Boudreau - Iowa Wild
- Ontario Reign Game Preview: Reign Celebrate Mother's Day with Game 3 Action Tonight - Ontario Reign
- Auger Stuns Gulls in Sudden Death as Reign Win 2-1 - San Diego Gulls
- Auger Provides Overtime Heroics as Reign Take Game 2 - Ontario Reign
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