Reign Weekly Wrap-up: A Great Way To End A Year
- Updated: January 2, 2017
Now that was an awesome way to end a year, getting ready for the next.
The Ontario Reign started last week 13-6-5-0, second place in the Pacific Division, three points behind the leading Stockton Heat. The team ended the week, and 2017, at 17-6-5-0, with a six-game win streak, now in first place in the Pacific, and as the third best team by percentage wins in all of the AHL. With an 11-1-1 record for the month, thank you December. And thank you 2016!
The Reign next play in the Outdoor Classic against the Bakersfield Condors at 6 p.m., Saturday, January 7 at Memorial Stadium in Bakersfield.
In the day-after-Christmas game versus the Bakersfield Condors, the Reign Kurtis MacDermid scored 1:32 into overtime giving the team a 4-3 victory before a sellout crowd of 9,491 at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The game was forced into overtime with a Condors goal by Scott Allen with only 2:40 left in the third. Sean Backman scored a goal and assist, and Jack Campbell made 26 saves on 29 shots. Another interesting fact was the Reign had no penalties or power plays in the game, a first in franchise history. Bottom line though? A victory.
The next day, the Reign met up with SoCal rivals the Ducks-affiliate San Diego Gulls, with another close overtime match going to Ontario 2-1. Plenty of penalties in this match: five for Ontario and six for San Diego. The overtime power play goal came at 4:20 via Paul LaDue from Michael Mersch and Teddy Purcell, the latter two each netting two assists each. Goaltender Campbell was stellar with 38 saves on 39 shots. The Reign’s fourth win in a row. They’ll take it and move on.
On December 30, Ontario decided to keep it to three periods only beating the league-leading Stockton Heat 4-1. Defenseman LaDue had two goals and an assist. The hard-working Campbell (ending the year at 14-3-2) had 33 saves on 34 shots. Five in a row folks.
On New Year’s Eve, the Reign won yet another overtime game, this one 5-4 against the same Heat. Outshooting its opponents 38-25, the Reign capitalized on three of its six power plays. Two third period goals – from Purcell and Adrian Kempe – kicked the game into the extra period, where Brett Sutter grabbed the OT victory at 1:59. Sixth win in a row to end the year powerfully.
With the year-ending standings, Reign Coach Mike Stothers was elected to coach the Pacific Division All-Stars. Through the Ontario Insider Lindsay Czarnecki, Stothers said, “That’s an honor. It really is. It’s special. Three years in a row is pretty good. It’s more reflective of the organization itself and the guys. Great bunch of guys.”
And ending the season on such a high note? Said Stothers, “Yeah 2016 has been great. Can’t wait to start 2017.”
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Ontario Reign and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!
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