Thunder Double up Reign 6-3
February 6, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign (29-10-2-3), back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, fell 6-3 in a tough battle against the Stockton Thunder (22-16-0-5) before a home crowd of 6,555 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday night.
The Reign went down to just three skaters with two early penalties in the first period, and while on the two-man advantage, Stockton's Joey Martin jammed the puck past Jussi Olkinuora. Moments later, when the Reign were still down a skater for their second penalty, the Thunder made the most of a passing play and caught Olkinuora on his heels with James Henry scoring into the open side of the cage at 6:14.
The Reign caught some bad luck with a deflected shot that sailed past Olkinuora's glove side at 7:22 giving the Thunder a 3-0 lead, Lee Baldwin was credited with the goal. On their first power play of the night the Reign scored their first goal of the night as Matt Register launched a hard shot from the point beating Park Milner about halfway through the first.
By the 6:14 mark of the second period, Matt Bergland lit the lamp for Stockton with their third power-play goal of the night. A shot from the point was deflected in past Olkinuora giving Stockton a 4-1 lead. Sebastian Stalberg cut the Thunder's lead in half with a beautiful shot from inside the right circle that whizzed past Milner at 6:53. Matt White and Sacha Guimond earned the assists.
Stalberg scored his second straight goal of the night with pressure in the Stockton end. The winger made the most of a cross-ice pass from Matt Register and slammed it home to get the Reign within one goal. Adrian Van de Mosselaer picked up the secondary assist on the goal.
The Thunder tacked another goal on early in the third period when Greg Miller scored five-hole on Olkinuora at 3:38. With just a couple minutes left in regulation, Olkinuora was pulled to give the Reign an extra skater. Mitch Bruijsten fired a long shot from just inside the Thunder zone and watched it slide past the crease to give the Thunder a 6-3 lead to end the game.
Olkinuora took the loss with 19 saves; Milner earned the win with 31 saves.
Three Stars:
1. STK - Greg Miller
2. ONT - Sebastian Stalberg
3. STK - Matt Bergland
Click here to view the box score.
Reign Drops:
The Reign announced that season tickets for 2014-15 are now available! Secure your seats for the next season of Reign hockey today by calling 909-941-PUCK (7825).
ECHL Stories from February 6, 2014
- Solar Bears Open Home Stand with 4-1 Win over Gwinnett - Orlando Solar Bears
- Gladiators Handled by Solar Bears 4-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- D.J. Jelitto Runner-Up for ECHL Player of the Month - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Transactions - February 6 - ECHL
- Rauch Moves On; Hirschfeld to Grand Rapids - Toledo Walleye
- Nailers Introduce Human Curling - Wheeling Nailers
- Dolan and Schmitz Recalled to AHL Charlotte - Florida Everblades
- Paul Crowder Recalled, Tom Craig Added - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Mickey Lang Returned to Orlando - Orlando Solar Bears
- Islanders Assign Andrey Pedan to Thunder - Stockton Thunder
- Blades Unveil Special Edition Olympic Jerseys - Florida Everblades
- Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Gwinnett Gladiators - February 6 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Condors Youth Jersey Giveaway this Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Today - February 6 - ECHL
- Thunder End Losing Skid in Ontario - Stockton Thunder
- Thunder Double up Reign 6-3 - Ontario Reign
- Wranglers Dropped by Eagles for Second Straight Night - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Eagles Sweep Series against Wranglers with 4-1 Victory - Colorado Eagles
- Steelheads Stifle Grizzlies, 3-1 - Idaho Steelheads
- Grizzlies Fall Just Short in Idaho; Lose for First Time in 3 Weeks - Utah Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
