ECHL Ontario Reign

Reign Topple Steelheads in 7-2 Win

January 29, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign (25-11-2-4), four-time Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's 2014 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, equaled their season-high total for goals in their 7-2 victory over the Idaho Steelheads (26-13-1-3) in front of a crowd of 6,651 on Wednesday evening at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Everett Sheen got things started for the Reign when he stole the puck from Matt Case at the attacking blueline, and hustled down the left side towards the Steelheads net, eventually tucking the puck underneath Olivier Roy at 1:48.

Ontario added to its lead shortly thereafter, when David Rutherford won an offensive zone face-off back to Nolan Julseth-White, who snapped the puck past Roy's blocker at 3:32.

The Reign made it 3-0 when Matt White sent a pass back to Matt Register at the left point. Register fired a wrist shot that eventually dropped behind Roy and trickled over the goal line at 5:39. That would spell the end of the night for Roy, as Henri Kiviaho took over in goal for Idaho.

Ontario continued its scoring ways in the second period when the puck squeaked out to the left circle to Rutherford, who buried a shot into the top corner of the net at 4:04, with Patrick Holland assisting.

Idaho got on the board when Colin Shea took a shot from a point that found its way through traffic to beat Jussi Olkinuora at 10:04.

The Reign got back to scoring during a five-on-three power-play, as Register wired a one-timer from Dennis Brown into the net to reestablish the four-goal edge at 12:08.

Robert Czarnik then added his first in a Reign uniform on the power-play after taking a cross-ice feed from Judd Blackwater and slamming it past Kiviaho at 13:39.

Blackwater earned a goal of his own in the third period after Rutherford sent a drop pass into the slot, allowing Blackwater to blast a one-timer into the net at 6:13.

The Steelheads finally capped the scoring with a power-play goal of their own when Jefferson Dahl scored at 17:18.

Olkinuora picked up the win with 23 saves; Roy took the loss with three stops, while Kiviaho made 25 saves in relief.

Three Stars:

1. ONT - Matt Register

2. ONT - David Rutherford

3. ONT - Patrick Holland

Click here to view the box score.

Reign Drops :

The Reign will host Stanley Cup Night, sponsored by the Ontario International Airport, on Friday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., which will allow the Reign to share the iconic championship trophy with all of the fans in attendance throughout the game. Personal photographs will be permitted.

The Ontario Reign and Ontario International Airport have partnered on this night to raise funds for Bob Hope USO of Ontario. Before taking photos with the Cup, fans will be asked to help "Fill the Cup" with donations to the USO, one of the Inland Empire's most important military organizations.

The Ontario Reign in partnership with the American Red Cross Inland Empire Chapter, will host Red Cross Jersey Night on Saturday Jan. 31 at 6 p.m.

The Reign players will wear specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off in a live auction on the ice immediately following the game against the Idaho Steelheads to benefit the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

The first 5,000 fans to enter Citizens Business Bank Arena will also receive a Dark Knight coin bank presented by the California National Guard.

The Ontario Reign Stretch Run Plan is back! Fans can now purchase their plans for as little as $45. Each Stretch Run Plans includes a ticket to four pre-selected games, free parking and a free pass to Knott's Berry Farm (valued at $65)!

Check out the Ontario Reign Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 29, 2015


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