Reign Wrap-up: 3 Down 2 To Go In 5-Game Stretch
- Updated: January 16, 2017
A flurry of games saw the Ontario Reign go 2-1 over the past three games with another match tonight, January 16 at 6:05 p.m. verses the Tucson Roadrunners in an away game. Last week, a Wednesday loss to the Texas Stars 3-1, a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda Friday, and then a 3-2 win over the Bakersfield Condors Saturday brought the Reign to 19-7-6-0, first place in the Pacific Division.
In the loss over Texas, Adrian Kempe scored the lone Reign goal, before the Stars scored the next three, including an empty net goal. Shots were close with Ontario notching 22 and the Stars 23. Goalie Jack Campbell took his fourth season loss blocking 19 of 21 shots.
The Reign bounced back with a 3-2 win verses the Barracuda, even though the team was outshot 37-23. A shorthanded goal in the third period by Justin Auger was the difference maker. The third period saw no scoring even though the Barracuda fired fast and often on Campbell who made 35 saves.
Tides turned in the Saturday match verses Bakersfield, as Ontario outshot its opponent 42-26, outlasting the Condors 3-2. Goals came from Brett Sutter (9) Kempe (9) and T.J. Hensick (10). Said captain Vincent LoVerde through the Ontario Reign website, “I thought this was one of our better team performances. I thought it was a good game from the goal line out. Everyone played well.”
One unfortunate turn of events came in a lower-body injury sustained by Michael Mersch in the first. Said coach Mike Stothers, “Anything I can tell you about Merschy it’s not going to be good. He’ll be reevaluated but it doesn’t look good. We’re not talking day-to-day.“
Without Mersch, the Reign will travel to the Tucson Arena to complete a five games in eight day series against the Roadrunners tonight and Wednesday, January 18 at 6:05 p.m.
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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