Reign Drop Shootout 5-4 to Thunder
Published on March 16, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign (42-16-3-4), back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, fell to the Stockton Thunder (33-25-5-4) in a shootout 5-4 before a sellout crowd of 9,616 on Friday night.
The Reign came out strong in the first period taking a 2-0 lead. Brady Calla scored first for his tenth goal of the season. Matt Register sent the winger a perfect feed across the ice from just inside the blue line. Calla picked it up and fired it past Tyler Bunz. Mario Lamoureux stayed atop the rookie scoring leaders with the other assist.
With his first Reign goal, Kevin Baker gave Ontario a two-goal lead at 16:52. Adrian Van de Mosselaer sent the puck over to his linemate, Matt Clune, who sent a laser toward the Thunder net. The shot was deflected in by Baker who was in perfect position behind Stockton's defense for a power-play goal.
Shortly after the Reign's second tally, Matt Cooper replaced Bunz in goal for the Thunder as the original goaltender was escorted off the ice. The second period began with the Thunder's first goal of the night. Ryan Hayes wristed the puck past Dustin Carlson from the top of the right circle.
The Reign reestablished their two-goal lead when Kevin Estrada knocked in Cameron Burt's shot from the point. Kyle Kraemer earned a point with the secondary assist.
Two quick Thunder goals would tie the game heading into the third period. At 19:22 Ryan Constant beat Carlson's glove and just 17 seconds later, Maxime Boisclair would pick up a pass off the draw for their third goal of the night.
Around the halfway mark of the final stanza, the Thunder took their first lead of the night. Hayes sent the puck behind the net for Shawn Weller who played it and wrapped around for a pass to Nathan Deck who poked it past Carlson.
With exactly one minute remaining on the clock the Reign pulled their goalie and with the extra attacker David Walker scored the equalizer for his first goal since his return to his former team, with assists from Register and Kraemer.
A scoreless overtime frame forced a shootout which ended with all Reign shooters being denied by the Thunder's relief goaltender. After four rounds, Stockton had two goals from Hayes and Boisclair.
Carlson took the loss with 12 saves on 16 shots, the Thunder's Cooper earned the win with 26 stops on 28 shots with the help from Bunz who made 13 saves on 15 shots.
Three Stars: 1. STK - Matt Cooper 2. ONT - David Walker 3. STK - Ryan Hayes
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