Ontario Takes 2-1 Series Lead Over Stockton
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings and AHL Manchester Monarchs, defeated the Stockton Thunder, 5-1, before a crowd of 4,047 fans at Stockton Arena. Ontario claimed a 2-1 series lead with the win on Wednesday evening.
The Reign claimed the first point of the game, and notched the only goal in the opening period. Forward Dale Reinhardt received a pass in the slot from center Jon Francisco and ripped a one-timer past Stockton goaltender Bryan Pitton to give Ontario a 1-0 lead over the Thunder. Right wing Jon Rheault also registered an assist on the opening goal.
Right wing Bud Holloway extended the Reign’s lead, 2-0, with his goal 42 seconds into the middle frame. Holloway was kept out on the far right side of the ice by the Stockton defense, but he was able to fire off a snapshot from just outside of the face-off circle that bounced over Pitton’s glove and into the net. Jon Rheault notched the assist on the goal, and his second point of the night.
Stockton cut the Reign’s lead by one just after a Reign boarding penalty expired. Defenseman Mark Adamek took a shot from just inside the blue line that found the back of the net on Ontario netminder Jeff Zatkoff’s blocker side. Center Judd Blackwater and left wing Igor Gongalsky picked up the assists on the play, which made the score 2-1, with the Reign in the lead.
The Reign came out with two goals in the first eleven minutes of the third period. The first was scored by right wing Geoff Walker at 4:58. Walker took a shot on net that was saved by Pitton, but the rebound was deflected in. Bud Holloway picked up the assist and his second point of the night. Defenseman Shawn Germain, who scored two goals in game one of the series, scored the fourth Reign goal during a power play at 10:23. Goaltender Jeff Zatkoff fed the puck to defenseman P.J. Atherton, who threw it ahead to Germain. Germain streaked towards the goal on the left wing side and beat Pitton with a shot that slid into the net under the netminder’s right pad. Germain’s goal gave the Reign a 4-1 lead late in the final period of play.
Geoff Walker scored his second goal of the game at 17:33 while Stockton was in the bin for a tripping minor. Right wing Bud Holloway streaked down the ice on the right side, and sent the puck across to Walker, who buried a backhand in the net. Holloway registered his third point of the match with the assist on the goal, and the Reign extended their lead to 5-1. Stockton didn’t find the back of the net for the remainder of the game, so Ontario claimed the win with a final score of Reign 5, Thunder 1. With the win, Ontario leads the series, 2-1.
To view the box score, click here.
Three stars:
1. ONT – B. Holloway
2. ONT – J. Zatkoff
3. STK – M. Adamek
Notes:
• Bud Holloway is currently on a 3-game point streak (4g, 3a) (4/10/09-4/15/09)
• P.J. Atherton is currently on a 3-game point streak (1g, 4a) (4/10/09-4/15/09)
• Geoff Walker is currently on a 3-game point streak (2g, 2a) (4/10/09-4/15/09)
• The Reign leads the series, 2-1; the clubs will meet for game 4 in Stockton on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.
REIGN DROPS
2009 Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are now on sale!! Call (909)941-PUCK (7825) to reserve your seats, or click here for more information about playoff tickets.
Playoffs are here!! Are you looking for a place to stay for the Ontario Reign playoff games? The Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel is offering a special Reign rate of $92 (plus tax) per night. Be sure to call the Sheraton sales office to inquire about special group rates of 15 rooms or more. They have shuttle service to and from the airport, Citizens Business Bank Arena, as well as some other destination sites in the area. Call Dolly Fiacco at (909)937-8000 (ex. 660) to book your rooms today! For more information, go to sheraton.com/ontario.
Attention Reign Fans! Team action photos are now available for online purchase at www.ontarioreign.com under the “Multimedia - Photo Gallery” tab. The Ontario Reign team photographer is Lee Calkins.
Click here to see the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoff standings.
Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, at all TicketMaster locations, or by calling (213) 480-3232.
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