Reign Hit 40 Wins in 4-1 Victory Over Thunder
March 22, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign (40-18-5-3), proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, took down the Stockton Thunder (32-30-1-4) with a 4-1 win before a crowd of 6,470 Wednesday night at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The win extends the Reigns' lead over the Las Vegas Wranglers increases to three points in the race for the Pacific Division crown.
The Reign had four first-period power-play opportunities, including 1:42 of a 5-on-3 chance, but couldn't capitalize as the tight defensive play of the Thunder held them to four extra-attacker shots. Stockton outshot Ontario 16-9 in the period.
The first goal of the game came at 3:55 of the second frame as Bill Bagron recorded his league-leading 5th short-handed goal of the season. Matt Foy coughed up the puck at the Reign blue line and Bagron turned on the jets. The Reign center had time to deke to the left of the net and bank the puck off the shaft of goaltender Shane Madolora's stick and into the net. It was the 26th marker of the season for Bagron, moving him into a tie with Derek Couture for the team lead.
Ontario cranked it up in the third period. Geoff Irwin forced a turnover by Rob Kwiet in the Thunder zone. Tristan King picked up the loose puck and fired it between the wickets of Madolora at 1:39. Everett Sheen caught up to a long lead-pass from Pat Bowen and carried it to the Thunder net to give the Reign a 3-0 lead at 6:55 with his 14th goal of the season. Stockton broke up J.F. Berube's shutout bid moments later on a goal by Jordan Fulton at 7:41. But the Reign weren't through. Cameron Burt, playing in his first professional game, one-timed a cross-ice feed from Bowen past Madolora to give Ontario a 4-1 advantage.
Berube turned aside 37 of 38 shots for his third consecutive win. Madolora, playing in his first professional game, stopped 28 of 32 shots for the loss. Madolora was a teammate of the Reign's Alan Mazur at Rochester Institute of Technology when R.I.T. went to the Frozen Four in 2009-10.
Three Stars:
1) ONT - J.F. Berube
2) ONT - Pat Bowen
3) ONT - Tristan King
Reign Drops:
The Reign will play games Friday and Saturday against the Alaska Aces in a battle for the top spot in the Western Conference and a first-round playoff bye.
Friday's 7 p.m. game is a Hooters Free Wing Friday. Bring your Reign ticket to Hooters within 24 hours of the game to receive five free wings!
Saturday's 6 p.m. game is Humane Society Jersey Night and Reign Trading Card Set Giveaway. The Reign will wear custom jerseys for the night and proceeds from the post-game jersey auction will benefit the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley. The first 3,000 fans through the doors will receive a Reign trading card set courtesy of The Inland Empire 66ers and the Ontario Reign Dance Team, so get to the arena early to get your cards!
And, as if you need another reason to be early on Saturday, ticket holders for that night's game will be treated to a concert by the World Tour- Legends of Rock! Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the concert kicks off at 4 p.m.
Be sure to stop by and visit George and the crew at the Royal Caribbean table during the all Reign home games to take advantage of these exclusive "Reign Fan" offers! April 30, 2012, we can offer "Reign Fans" a complimentary dinner for two in a specialty restaurant when they when booking an oceanview or above category stateroom on Any 6-Night or longer Caribbean sailing departing May 1 - December 31, 2012. Receive up to $100 onboard credit per stateroom if you book by March 31st!
Remember, with playoffs just around the corner, every game counts! Don't miss a minute of Reign hockey, call 909-941-PUCK (7825) or visit www.ontarioreign.com today for tickets to Reign home games.
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