Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign Celebrate the Return of $2 Beer Fridays this Week
January 4, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
The Ontario Reign closed 2015 and welcomed 2016 last week with tilts against the Stockton Heat and Charlotte Checkers for a week record of 1-3-0-0, saw their overall record update to 17-8-2-1 and currently stand on top of the Pacific Division.
The week started with a home-and-home series with the Heat on Tuesday and Thursday, beginning at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. Forward Jonny Brodzinski scored both goals and netminder Peter Budaj made a season-high 39 saves to help the Reign to a 2-1 victory.
On New Year's Eve, defenseman Vincent LoVerde netted the lone Reign goal in a 4-1 setback. The Checkers rolled into Citizens Business Bank Arena as the hottest team in the American Hockey League and skated away with 4-2 and 2-0 wins on Saturday and Sunday. Defenseman Jeff Schultz scored his first goal of the season on Saturday and appeared in his 600th professional game on Sunday. Forward Nic Dowd added the other Reign marker Saturday.
The Numbers
Record: 17-8-2-1 (1st Place, Pacific Division, 2nd in Western Conference)
Home: 8-4-2-1
Away: 9-4-0-0
Last 10 Games: 5-4-0-1
Streak: 0-3-0-0
Goals: Michael Mersch* (12)
Assists: Sean Backman (17)
Points: Sean Backman (23)
Penalty Minutes: Kurtis MacDermid (66)
Power-Play Goals: Michael Mersch*, Adrian Kempe* (4)
Power-Play Assists: Sean Backman (8)
Power-Play Points: Sean Backman (11)
Shorthanded Goals: N/A
Shorthanded Assists: N/A
Shorthanded Points: N/A
Game-Winning Goals: Sean Backman (4)
Wins: Peter Budaj (16)
GAA: Peter Budaj (1.68)
SPCT: Peter Budaj (.930)
*Mersch is recalled to the Los Angeles Kings
*Kempe is with Sweden for the World Junior Championships
League Leaders:
Forward Ryan Horvat is tied for second in the AHL with eight major penalties.
Goaltender Peter Budaj leads the league with a 1.68 goals-against average (GAA) and 1503:55 minutes played, is tied for first with 16 wins and four shutouts and stands fourth with a .930 save percentage.
Defenseman Kurtis MacDermid is second among rookies with 66 penalty minutes.
This Week:
Ontario Reign vs. Texas Stars
Tuesday, Jan. 5
7:00 p.m. PT
Citizens Business Bank Arena
Postgame Player Part at Boston's
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 2nd of 6 meetings, 1-0-0-0 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign vs. Stockton Heat
Friday, Jan. 8
7:00 p.m. PT
$2 20oz Beer Friday
$10 Top Shelf College and Military Tickets with ID at CBBA Box Office
Ontario Reign Friends and Family Deal
Citizens Business Bank Arena
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 5th of 12 meetings, 3-1-0-0 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign at Bakersfield Condors
Saturday, Jan. 9
7:00 p.m. PT
Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 6th of 12 meetings, 4-1-0-0 head-to-head record
National Hockey League Affiliate Update
Los Angeles Kings
Record: 25-11-2, 52 points
Standing: 1st Pacific Division, 2nd Western Conference
Upcoming Games: Today at Colorado, Thursday vs. Toronto, Saturday vs. St. Louis
Leading Scorer: Tyler Toffoli
ECHL Affiliate Update
Manchester Monarchs
Record: 20-11-0-3, 43 points
Standing: 1st East Division, 2nd Eastern Conference
Upcoming Games: Wednesday at Adirondack, Friday at Elmira, Saturday at Elmira
Leading Scorer: Matt Leitner
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
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