ECHL Ontario Reign

Reign Ground Thunder

March 3, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Ontario Reign (40-14-3-3), defending Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, eked out a win against the Stockton Thunder (30-23-5-4) by a 4-3 score before a crowd of 6,124 at Stockton Arena Sunday afternoon.

Ontario got on the board early in the first period when Everett Sheen knocked in a high rebound attempt after Brodie Sheahan's initial wrap-around attempt was denied by Tyler Bunz at 1:10. Chris Cloud would receive credit for the secondary assist on Sheen's goal. The goal was Sheen's third of the season, and his first in 28 games.

The Reign carried that tight 1-0 lead into the second period, as Chris Carrozzi was forced to bail his teammates out in the second period turning aside 10 Stockton shots in the middle frame.

Following the successful kill of a goaltender interference penalty to Derek Couture, Ontario made it 2-0 when Kevin Estrada shoveled a rebound past Bunz at 18:51 for his third marker of the season, following a shot from the point by Justin Pender and an initial rebound attempt from Kyle Kraemer.

Kramer earned his 35th assist of the season with the helper to Estrada, tying David Walker and Jordan Morrison for the club single-season record for assists by an individual player.

The Thunder almost cut the lead back to one with just nine seconds remaining in the period. It appeared that Matt Ambroz had stuffed one past Carrozzi, but the Stockton celebration was premature; the play was immediately whistled off, and Ambroz would be whistled for a goaltender interference penalty instead.

That infraction would carry over into the third period, and the Reign capitalized on the power-play. Matt Register took a pass from Cameron Burt and used a screen by Couture to fire home his second goal of the season at just 36 seconds into the frame.

The Thunder responded and finally spoiled Carrozzi's shutout bid with two goals in quick succession, as former Reign forward Maxime Boisclair and defenseman Brandon Davidson scored at the 2:31 and 3:14 marks, respectively.

Just as it appeared that Stockton had suddenly gained all the momentum, Kraemer re-established a two-goal edge just 17 seconds after Davidson's tally. The Ontario sniper broke in on a two-on-one and beat Bunz with a quick snap shot between the goalie's legs for his 25th of the season.

Stockton once again had a chance to get back into the game when Shawn Weller was impeded on his way to the net and was subsequently awarded a penalty shot at 7:04, but Weller lost track of the puck on his way to the net and was turned aside by Carrozzi.

The game's finish would be tense, as Tony DeHart beat Carrozzi on a shot from the blueline with Bunz pulled at 19:33 to once again cut Ontario's lead to one goal. Although the Thunder called a timeout, the Reign were able to prevent Stockton from drawing even as time expired to give them the victory.

With the win, Ontario established a new club record for fastest 40 wins, accomplishing the feat in 60 games, six fewer than the previous record of 66 that was set during last year's Pacific Division-winning season.

The Reign finished the evening a perfect 9-for-9 on the penalty kill, while going 1-for-4 on the power-play.

Chris Carrozzi finished the day with 27 saves on 30 shots for Ontario; his third consecutive start in three days. Bunz had 21 saves on 25 shots for Stockton.

Three Stars:

1. ONT - Kyle Kraemer

2. STK - Brandon Davidson

3. ONT - Brock Sheahan

Reign Drops:

The Reign return home on Wednesday, Mar. 6 for a 7:00 p.m. game against the Las Vegas Wranglers. This is the final home game against the Wranglers and the last State Farm 2-for-1 Wednesday voucher night of the season! Stop by a local State Farm agency to pick up your 2-for-1 vouchers (redeemable at the Citizens Business Bank Arena box office).

Check out the Ontario Reign Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 3, 2013


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