Reign Fool Condors in 8-3 Victory
April 2, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign (40-18-4-5), four-time ECHL Pacific Division Champions and proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's 2014 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, gave up a three-goal lead but exploded in the third period en route to a 8-3 win over the Bakersfield Condors (24-36-3-5) in front of a crowd of 6,901 on Wednesday night at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
Josh Brittain got the scoring started early in the first period when he fired a shot at Kris Lazaruk coming down the left wing side. Lazaruk made the initial blocker save but Brittain collected his own rebound and then carried the puck around the Condors net and tucked it in at 2:26.
Ontario took a 2-0 lead when Alex Roach fired a wrist shot from the left point through a screen at 3:39.
After drawing their first power-play chance of the night, the Reign converted when David Rutherford passed the puck through his legs to Garry Nunn at the left circle, who sent a feed across to Judd Blackwater, who completed the play by burying the one-timer at 13:21.
The Condors then controlled much of the latter part of the first period, as Ryan Watson drove to the net through the slot and fired off a wrist shot that caromed off the glove of Jussi Olkinuora and into the net at 14:08.
Bakersfield scored seconds later when Jonathan Lessard and Sebastien Sylvestre broke in on a 2-on-1, and Sylvestre tapped in Lessard's feed past Olkinuora at 14:43.
The Condors tied the score at 19:10, when Watson redirected Andrew Radjenovic's pass through the crease into the net.
The Reign recovered in the second period, however. Following an expired penalty to Rutherford, Ontario's skaters worked the puck into the attacking zone. Blackwater fed the puck back to Dennis Brown at the right point, who fired a wrist shot that sailed through several bodies into the net at 19:00.
Ontario returned to its high-flying ways again in the third, starting when Nunn carried the puck into the right corner and then centered a feed to Rocco Carzo, who slid the puck between Lazaruk's pads at 6:55.
Everett Sheen restored the three-goal lead for the Reign when he snapped a shot past Lazaruk at 14:40 off assists from Gasper Kopitar and Matt Register.
After taking a pass from Maxim Kitsyn near center ice, Matt White then broke into the attacking zone, cutting to the outside of a Condors defender and roofing a shot to the glove side of Lazaruk at 15:22.
Ontario closed out the scoring when Sheen sent a saucer pass to the left side for White, who slid the puck along the ice, allowing Kopitar to tap the puck into the open net at 17:20.
The flurry of offense allowed Reign head coach Jason Christie to pick up his 480th career ECHL coaching win, tying him with John Brophy for second all-time.
Olkinuora picked up the win with 18 saves; Lazaruk took the loss with 18 stops.
Three Stars:
1. ONT - Garry Nunn
2. ONT - Judd Blackwater
3. ONT - Dennis Brown
Reign Drops :
The jersey worn by Ontario Reign forward Gasper Kopitar in Wednesday night's game against the Bakersfield Condors as part of the ECHL Fantasy Team program is now available for bidding through The Meigray Group. Visit their page today to bid on this one-of-a-kind jersey!
The Reign take on the Condors on Friday, Apr. 3 on a New York Grill Fan Friday. TheNew York Grill, located at 950 Ontario Mills Drive, invites all Reign fans to come before and/or after all Friday night games. They will stay open late on Friday game nights and provide special "Reign" promotions.
Ontario closes out its regular season home schedule with Fan Appreciation Night onSaturday, Apr. 4 at 6 p.m. against the Stockton Thunder. Every fan in attendance will receive a free Reign mini-pennant, compliments of Cagles Appliances, and 25 lucky fans will win the opportunity to receive a signed jersey from a Reign player.
Don't forget: Reign tickets for the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs go on sale Friday, Apr. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Citizens Business Bank Arena box office and AXS.com. For more information on Ontario Reign playoff tickets call 909-941-PUCK (7825) or visit ontarioreign.com for ticket availability.
Become a Reign Season Ticket Member today! Season tickets for the 2015-16 season - Ontario's first as a member of the American Hockey League and the primary developmental affiliate of the LA Kings - are on sale now. All Season Ticket Members also receive free parking, ticket exchange, account manager access, an invitation to an exclusive Season Ticket Member event, guaranteed giveaways (one per account) and more.
Season ticket packages start as low as $340, and include payment options for your convenience. For more information on Reign season tickets - along with a comprehensive list of Season Ticket Member benefits - please call 909-941-PUCK (7825) to select and purchase your 2015-16 season seats today!
Visit us at ontarioreign.com, follow the team @OntarioReign and visit ontarioreign.com/ahl for additional information. And be sure to listen to all home games and select road matches for free via Spreaker.
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