Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign Wrap up Road Trip; Return Home Saturday for Fire and Ice
January 26, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Ontario Reign Battle the Stockton Heat
(Ontario Reign)
The Ontario Reign hosted the Manitoba Moose and took on the San Jose Barracuda in a home-and-home series last week for a week record of 3-0-0-0, improved their overall record to 24-10-2-1 to hold the top position in the Pacific Division and are currently riding a four-game winning streak.
The Reign and Moose collided on Wednesday night for this first time since early October at Citizens Business Bank and skated away with a 4-1 victory. Forward Michael Mersch recorded a goal and two assists and goaltender Peter Budaj registered his 200th professional win.
On Friday, the Barracuda rolled into the Inland Empire and carried a 2-0 lead heading into the third period before defenseman Vincent LoVerde buried and early-period marker and 2016 AHL All-Star Classic selection Sean Backman picked up the game-tying goal with 1:32 left in the frame. Just 28 seconds into overtime, forward Nic Dowd buried the game-winning tally to complete the Reign comeback.
WATCH: Highlights from Ontario's 3-2 Comeback Overtime Win
The two teams moved to SAP Center in San Jose, CA Saturday with the Reign completing the weekend sweep with a 2-1 win. Defenseman Kurtis MacDermid lit the goal lamp in his first game back from a 12-game suspension and Backman netted the game-winning marker.
The Numbers
Record: 24-10-2-1 (1st Place, Pacific Division, 1st in Western Conference)
Home: 14-5-2-1
Away: 10-5-0-0
Last 10 Games: 7-3-0-0
Streak: 4-0-0-0
Goals: Michael Mersch (13)
Assists: Nic Dowd (22)
Points: Sean Backman, Nic Dowd (31)
Penalty Minutes: Kurtis MacDermid (70)
Power-Play Goals: Sean Backman (5)
Power-Play Assists: Sean Backman (9)
Power-Play Points: Sean Backman (14)
Shorthanded Goals: Sean Backman, Andrew Crescenzi, Jordan Samuels-Thomas (1)
Shorthanded Assists: Four players with one assist
Shorthanded Points: Sean Backman, Jordan Samuels-Thomas (2)
Game-Winning Goals: Sean Backman (5)
Wins: Peter Budaj (22)
GAA: Peter Budaj (1.69)
SPCT: Peter Budaj (.930)
League Leaders:
Forward Ryan Horvat is tied for fourth in the AHL with nine major penalties.
Forward Sean Backman is tied for first in the AHL with 124 shots and forward Michael Mersch is tied for fourth with 116 shots.
Goaltender Peter Budaj leads the league with a 1.69 goals-against average (GAA), five shutouts, 22 wins and 1984 minutes played, stands third with a .930 save percentage and fourth with 749 saves.
Defenseman Kurtis MacDermid is tied for third among rookies with 70 penalty minutes.
Defenseman Vince LoVerde is tied for 20th among defensemen with 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) and tied for fifth among blueliners with 20 minor penalties.
This Week:
Ontario Reign at Stockton Heat
Wednesday, Jan. 27
7:00 p.m. PT
Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 6th of 12 meetings, 4-1-0-0 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign at San Diego Gulls
Friday, Jan. 29
7:05 p.m. PT
Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 7th of 12 meetings, 2-3-0-1 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign vs. Manitoba Moose
Saturday, Jan. 30
6:00 p.m. PT
Fire and Ice with Ontario Fire Department
Ontario Reign Value Pack - Game Ticket, Hot Dog & Soda starting at $25 with NO FEES!
Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 4th of 4 meetings, 3-0-0-0 head-to-head record
National Hockey League Affiliate Update
Los Angeles Kings
Record: 30-15-3, 63 points
Standing: 1st Pacific Division, 4th Western Conference
Upcoming Games: Wednesday vs. Colorado
Leading Scorer: Anze Kopitar
ECHL Affiliate Update
Manchester Monarchs
Record: 25-12-1-4, 55 points
Standing: 1st East Division, 2nd Eastern Conference
Upcoming Games: Wednesday at Orlando, Thursday at Orlando, Friday at Orlando
Leading Scorer: Matt Leitner
Images from this story
 Ontario Reign Battle the Stockton Heat |
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