Jon Rheault Nets Game Winner In Shootout

ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings, defeated the Las Vegas Wranglers, 4-3, on Saturday evening in front of 7,818 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Ontario got the scoring started with a shorthanded goal at 8:25 in the opening period when right wing Jon Rheault shot the puck and defenseman David Walker picked up the loose rebound and put it past Las Vegas goaltender Joel Gistedt.  Center Jon Francisco also assisted on the play.

With less than two minutes left in the first period, Rheault scored the second shorthanded goal of the game when he sent a slap shot past a diving Gistedt who was trying  to get back to his net to block the shot.  Defenseman Chad Starling picked up the only assist on the play and the Reign took a 2-0 lead.

Las Vegas scored their first goal of the night when they capitalized on 5-on-3 man advantage at 8:39 in the third period.  Center Adam Miller scored the unassisted goal when he was able to put the puck past Ontario goaltender Curtis Darling’s pad. 

On the same power play, the Wranglers tied the game at 2-2 when center Chris Neiszner flipped the puck up and over Darling’s leg.  Defenseman Craig Switzer and right wing Alex Bourret assisted on the goal at 9:55.

The Reign took a 3-2 lead when right wing Geoff Walker beat Gistedt stick side.  Forward Michael Pelech set up the play with a perfect pass to Walker at 18:42.

The Wranglers tied the game up with only 19 seconds left in the third period.  Las Vegas had pulled Gistedt for the extra skater and forward Jerry Pollastrone put the puck past Darling.  Neither team was able to score in the five minute overtime session and for the second night in a row the teams went into a shootout.

Ontario pulled Curtis Darling and put in Mike Zacharias for the shootout.  Zacharias blocked all the shots he faced and Jon Rheault scored the one and only shootout goal to give the Reign the win with a final score of Reign 4, Wranglers 3 (SO).

Shootout results:
1. ONT - Sean O'Connor: NO GOAL
2. LV - Jerry Pollastrone: NO GOAL
3. ONT - Tony Voce: NO GOAL
4. LV - Adam Miller: NO GOAL
5. ONT - Jon Rheault: GOAL
6. LV - Alex Bourret: NO GOAL
7. ONT - David Walker: NO GOAL
8. LV - Josh Prudden: NO GOAL
9. ONT - Chad Starling: NO GOAL
10. LV - Ned Lukacevic: NO GOAL

To view the box score, click here.

To view current Pacific Division and league standings, click here.

Three stars:
1. ONT – Jon Rheault
2. LV – Jerry Pollastrone
3. ONT – Geoff Walker

REIGN DROPS
Sunday, March 7th is Jr. Reign Kid's Club nights and we also have a 4 for $44 Family Night special each Sunday home game (4 Upper End Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs & 4 Sodas).  This offer is only available at the arena box office.  Come out and meet your Ontario Reign players at the post-game player party at Boston’s Restaurant (4th Ave. and Milliken location).  Receive 15% off your total bill (not including alcoholic beverages) with your ticket from the game.

Saturday, March 20th is Military Appreciation Night sponsored by the University of La Verne. The Reign players will be wearing specialty military jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game, with proceeds benefitting the University of La Verne scholarship program.  All military personel can purchase specially priced tickets through the Reign front office.  Call (909) 941-PUCK (7825).

- www.ontarioreign.com -