Reign Secure Home Ice in First Round with 4-1 Win over Aces
Published on April 9, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Judd Blackwater of the Ontario Reign Shoots against the Alaska Aces
(Ontario Reign)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Ontario Reign (42-18-4-6), four-time ECHL Pacific Division Champions and proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's 2014 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, locked up home ice advantage in the first round of the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs with a 4-1 win over the Alaska Aces (34-29-3-4) in front of a crowd of 5,004 on Wednesday night at Sullivan Arena.
Jussi Olkinuora made some solid saves on several Aces chances in the first period to keep the game scoreless, including a sliding pad stop on Chris Francis following a rebound from Tim Coffman more than halfway through the frame.
The Reign capitalized quickly with the man advantage following two simultaneous penalties to Alaska early in the second period, as Matt Register's shot from the high slot rebounded off the pads of Troy Redmann to the right side of the net, where Judd Blackwater roofed a shot into an open net at 3:05.
The Aces responded with a power-play goal of their own, as Ryan Walters redirected Chris Francis' point shot past Olkinuora at 9:28.
Blackwater found the back of the net once again at 12:51 to give Ontario another lead when he scooped Kyle Bigos' rebound and cut across the crease, sliding the puck underneath the blocker of Redmann.
The Reign continued its dominance on the man advantage in the third, as Register teed up a shot from the left point that found its way through traffic into the net at 3:38, with Garry Nunn and Blackwater assisting.
Gasper Kopitar put the game away for Ontario when he received a pass from Everett Sheen and deked out Redmann before depositing a backhand shot into the net at 12:57.
Olkinuora earned the win with 42 saves; Redmann took the loss with 24 stops.
Three Stars:
1. ONT - Judd Blackwater
2. ONT - Jussi Olkinuora
3. ONT - Matt Register
Reign Drops :
Don't forget: Reign tickets for the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs are now on sale 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/tickets/playoff for ticket availability. A complete game schedule for the best-of-seven first round series against the Colorado Eagles will be announce d Thursday, Apr. 9 .
The Ontario Reign invite all of our fans to attend the Tilted Kilt Watch Party on Saturday, Apr. 11 at 8:15 p.m. at the Tilted Kilt in Rancho Cucamonga to watch the Reign in the final game of the 2014-15 regular season, as they take on the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena.
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.
Images from this story
 Judd Blackwater of the Ontario Reign Shoots against the Alaska Aces |
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- Aces stay in playoff contention despite setback in opener - Alaska Aces
- Reign Secure Home Ice in First Round with 4-1 Win over Aces - Ontario Reign
- Idaho Wraps up Regular Season with Wild Win over Utah - Idaho Steelheads
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