Reign Fall to Thunder 3-1
Published on March 2, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Ontario Reign (34-16-2-3), back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, could not complete a three-goal deficit, as they fell 3-1 to the Stockton Thunder (27-21-0-5) on Sunday evening in front of 6,526 at Stockton Arena.
The Reign controlled the tempo for much of the first period, out-shooting the home team 9-5. Reign netminder Jussi Olkinuora saw long stretches of inactivity during the frame, but remained sharp, making his best save on a Matieu Coderre-Gagnon breakaway, shortly after the Stockton forward emerged from the penalty box after being assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at 10:32.
That chance for the Thunder may have been a foreshadowing of things to come. Stockton struck first at 11:05 of the second period, during a short-handed situation. Adam Brace and Riley Wetmore teamed up for a two-on-none breakaway. Although Olkinuora stopped the initial shot from Brace, Wetmore jammed home the rebound for his first of the season.
Brace would be the one to put the Thunder ahead by two in the third period, following some crisp passing in the Reign zone by his teammates, as Brace beat Olkinuora at 4:54. Ryan Hayes and Corey Trivino collected the assists. Stockton made it 3-0 at 9:18 with a goal from James Henry, who received assists from Garet Hunt and Landon Oslanski.
The Reign finally got on board with a power-play goal from captain Derek Couture - playing in his first game since Jan. 18 - at 14:05, after receiving a pass from Rocco Carzo. Couture backhanded the puck underneath Stockton goaltender Parker Milner. It would not be enough for Ontario to overcome, and despite a number of great chances from the Reign skaters in the dying moments of the game, the Thunder were assured victory with Couture's high-sticking minor at 19:57.
Olkinuora took the loss for Ontario, making 14 saves, while Milner picked up the win for the Thunder with 30 stops.
Three Stars:
1. STK - P. Milner
2. STK - A. Brace
3. STK - A. MacLeod
Reign Drops:
The Reign will continue their road trip with three more games away from Citizens Business Bank Arena in Colorado against the Eagles. Don't miss the team's homecoming game on Wednesday, Mar. 12 at 7 p.m. when they face the Las Vegas Wranglers. This is a Farmers Insurance 2-for-1 Wednesday so head over to the nearest participating Farmers Insurance agency (locations from Rancho Cucamonga to Victorville!) and get your vouchers today!
Learn how you can get 10 REIGN GAMES FREE by calling 909-941-PUCK (7825) and speaking with a Reign representative today!
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