Weekly Reign Wrap-up: Playoff Bound!
- Updated: April 17, 2018
Playoff bound! The AHL has concluded its season, and although the Ontario Reign tanked its last three games last week, the team had enough points (79) and percentage points (.581) to land third place in the Pacific Division, just behind the Tucson Roadrunners and Texas Stars, and just above the San Jose Barracuda. The fifth place team, known as the San Diego Gulls, also blew their last three games, and will be home during the playoffs – not home ice, but sitting at home watching from their TV sets.
The first playoff game will be against the Texas Stars, at 5 p.m. pst, Thursday, April 19 at Cedar Park, Texas.
Last week, the Reign played April 11, losing to the Stockton Heat 6-3, as the opponents chased goalie Cal Petersen (16 of 22 shots) at the end of the second period.
The April 13th game didn’t vary much as the Reign lost to the same team 5-2, once again Petersen lasting two periods saving only 20 of 25 shots. One highlight was the first goal of the season from defenseman Kurtis MacDermid. One.
The last game of the season once again didn’t vary much, except for the opponent. The final 5-1 against the Bakersfield Condors. Once again, goalie Petersen was the loser in the game, this time playing all 60 minutes and facing 44 shots.
Luckily, losing the last three games didn’t keep the Reign from the Calder Cup trophy contention, but it did show how low the bar could be set for a team that better kick it into a higher gear come playoff time.
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