Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign Clinch Berth in 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs
March 28, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Ontario Reign Goaltender Peter Budaj
(Ontario Reign)
Reign Clinch Calder Cup Playoff Berth...
With the San Jose Barracuda falling to the San Diego Gulls on Easter Sunday, the Ontario Reign clinched a berth in the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs and currently occupy the top spot in the Pacific Division with an overall record of 39-16-4-1. The Los Angeles Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate has now reached the postseason the last seven straight seasons and 13 times in the last 14 years (affiliation in Manchester, New Hampshire from 2001-15). Read More
The Week That Was...
The Ontario Reign battled the Bakersfield Condors and Stockton Heat last week for a week record of 2-1-0-0.
On Tuesday, the Reign traveled to Bakersfield, California for a quick matchup with the Condors and skated away with a 5-2 victory. Forward Michael Mersch registered two assists and goaltender Peter Budaj made a season-high 39 saves in the victory.
The Reign returned home to Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday to open a two-game weekend set against the Heat. In the opening period, the Reign fought off four Heat power plays including a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage and capitalized twice on four power plays en route to a 4-2 victory.
In the rematch on Saturday, the Heat jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held off a late Reign attack for a 4-2 win. Forward Jonny Brodzinski registered an individual season-high 10 shots on goal.
The Numbers
Record: 39-16-4-1, .692 winning percentage (1st Place, Pacific Division)
Home: 21-8-3-1
Away: 18-8-1-0
Last 10 Games: 7-2-1-0
Streak: 0-1-0-0
Goals: Michael Mersch, Sean Backman (21)
Assists: Nic Dowd* (34)
Points: Sean Backman (53)
Penalty Minutes: Kurtis MacDermid (106)
Power-Play Goals: Sean Backman (8)
Power-Play Assists: Nic Dowd* (11)
Power-Play Points: Sean Backman (18)
Shorthanded Goals: Andrew Crescenzi (2)
Shorthanded Assists: Five players with one assist
Shorthanded Points: Andrew Crescenzi (3)
Game-Winning Goals: Sean Backman (8)
Wins: Peter Budaj (37)
GAA: Peter Budaj (1.73)
SPCT: Peter Budaj (.930)
*Dowd is currently with the Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
League Leaders:
Forward Sean Backman tied for eighth in the AHL with 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) and is first in the league with 225 shots and eight game-winning goals.
Goaltender Peter Budaj leads the league with a 1.73 goals-against average (GAA), eight shutouts, 37 wins and 3186 minutes played and is second with a .930 save percentage and fourth with 1218 saves.
Defenseman Kurtis MacDermid is fifth among rookies with 106 penalty minutes and tied for second with 28 minor penalties.
This Week:
Ontario Reign at San Jose Barracuda
Wednesday, Mar. 30
7:30 p.m. PT
SAP Center in San Jose, California
Reign Watch Party at Dave and Buster's at Ontario Mills
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 12th of 12 meetings, 9-2-0-0 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign at Stockton Heat
Friday, Apr. 1
7:30 p.m. PT
Stockton Arena in Stockton, California
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 11th of 12 meetings, 6-3-1-0 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign at Bakersfield Condors
Saturday, Apr. 2
7:00 p.m. PT
Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 10th of 12 meetings, 5-4-0-0 head-to-head record
National Hockey League Affiliate Update
Los Angeles Kings
Record: 45-25-5, 93 points
Standing: 1st Pacific Division, 3rd Western Conference
Upcoming Games: Tonight at San Jose, Thursday vs. Calgary, Saturday vs. Dallas
Leading Scorer: Anze Kopitar
ECHL Affiliate Update
Manchester Monarchs
Record: 38-21-4-5, 85 points
Standing: 1st East Division, 3rd Eastern Conference
Upcoming Games: Friday at Toledo, Saturday at Wheeling
Leading Scorer: Maxim Kitsyn
Images from this story
 Ontario Reign Goaltender Peter Budaj |
American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2016
- Kosmachuk, Hellebuyck Spoil Checkers' Final Visit to Manitoba - Charlotte Checkers
- Week 25 Recap: Hogs Drop Pair, Playoff Race Thickens - Rockford IceHogs
- Chicago Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Spencer Martin Reassigned to Fort Wayne - San Antonio Rampage
- Texas Stars Weekly Update - Texas Stars
- Save of the Day Foundation Selects 2016 Grant Recipients - Utica Comets
- Wolf Pack Recall Defenseman Kodie Curran from Greenville - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Coyotes Recall Grant, Falcons Recall New - Springfield Falcons
- Moose Recall Jussi Olkinuora - Manitoba Moose
- Labrie Receives One Game Suspension - Rockford IceHogs
- Rangers Agree to Terms with Forward Cristoval Nieves - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Vote Colonel Claw'd in AHL Mascot Madness - Bakersfield Condors
- American Hockey League Announces Suspension - AHL
- Flames Assign Pair of Forwards to Stockton - Stockton Heat
- Ciampini Recalled to IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Falcons Weekly - Springfield Falcons
- Spencer Martin Named Ccm/AHL Player of the Week - San Antonio Rampage
- San Antonio's Spencer Martin Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign Clinch Berth in 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs - Ontario Reign
- Flames Announce Roster Moves - Stockton Heat
- Bears Return Goaltender Mark Dekanich to Stingrays - Hershey Bears
- Syracuse Crunch to Collect Change for Change Donations at Local Dunkin' Donuts Locations March 29 - Syracuse Crunch
- Comets Release Rankin from PTO - Utica Comets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
