Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign Carry Pacific Division Finals Series Lead into Busy Workweek
May 9, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Ontario Reign in Action
(Ontario Reign)
Pacific Division Finals Schedule
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
Reign and Gulls Extend Rivalry to Postseason
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.
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.
First-Round Recap...
The Ontario Reign closed out their best-of-five opening-round playoff series with the San Jose Barracuda with a pair of victories at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Game 3 and Game 4 for a 3-1 series win.
After splitting the first two games in San Jose, the Reign dominated Game 3 from the opening faceoff and claimed a 3-1 decision. Forward Adrian Kempe scored twice and forward Nic Dowd added a power-play goal as the Reign fired 43 shots on goal. Looking to fight off elimination, the Barracuda peppered Reign goalie Peter Budaj early in Game 4, but Nic Dowd smothered their momentum with a tally midway through the first period en route to a 4-1 Reign victory. After missing Game 3, forward Andrew Crescenzi returned to the lineup and buried a goal and two assists for the Reign. Forwards Justin Auger and Jordan Samuels-Thomas also scored goals for the Reign.
Game 1: at San Jose 2-1 Win
Game 2: at San Jose 3-2 Loss
Game 3: at Ontario 3-1 Win
Game 4: at Ontario 4-1 Win
The Postseason Numbers
Record: 5-2
Home: 3-1
Away: 2-1
Last 10 Games: 5-2
Streak: 0-1
Goals: Jonny Brodzinski, Kurtis MacDermid, Adrian Kempe, Nic Dowd, Michael Mersch, Justin Auger (2)
Assists: Nic Dowd, Michael Mersch (3)
Points: Nic Dowd, Michael Mersch (5)
Penalty Minutes: Kris Newbury (13)
Power-Play Goals: Nic Dowd, Vincent LoVerde, Kris Newbury (1)
Power-Play Assists: Six players tied (1)
Power-Play Points: Nic Dowd, Vincent LoVerde (2)
Shorthanded Goals: Jeff Schultz (1)
Shorthanded Assists: N/A
Shorthanded Points: N/A
Game-Winning Goals: Justin Auger (2)
Wins: Peter Budaj (5)
GAA: Peter Budaj (1.68)
SPCT: Peter Budaj (.920)
League Postseason Leaders:
Goaltender Peter Budaj is third in the AHL with a 1.68 goals-against average, five wins and 430 minutes played.
Forward Justin Auger is tied for the league lead with two game-winning goals.
This Week:
Ontario Reign at San Diego Gulls
Game 4 - Second Round - 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs
Friday, May 13
7:05 p.m. PT
Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Ontario Reign vs. San Jose Barracuda
Game 5 - Second Round - 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs
Saturday, May 14
7:00 p.m. PT
Citizens Business Bank Arena
Reign Value Offer - Playoff Ticket, Hot Dog & Soda Starting at $25 and NO FEES!
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Images from this story
 Ontario Reign in Action |
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- Reign Pepper Gulls with Scoring Chances; Fall in Game 3 - Ontario Reign
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