October 8, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Slusarski, Ontario Reign PR Intern
Phone: (909) 941-7825
Email: pr@ontarioreign.com 

STOCKTON DROPS ONTARIO 6-2
Reign Appear Rusty in First Pre-Season Game

ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings, were defeated 6-2 by the Stockton Thunder in front of 1,970 at Stockton Arena in the team’s first pre-season game.

Stockton wasted no time getting on the board.  With Brett O’Malley in the penalty box for interfering with the goaltender, Matt Jones scored a power play goal at 3:16 in the first period.  The Thunder had two more power play opportunities in the period, but the Reign held strong and the period ended 1-0, Thunder.

Kyle Kraemer tied the game for the Reign at 5:39 of the second period, but the Reign continued to take penalties.  With Brett O’Malley off for the second time in the game, left winger Aaron Clark lit the lamp to regain the lead for the Thunder at 15:23.  With less than a minute left in the second period, the Reign’s Chaz Johnson rang a hard shot off the goal post.  The Thunder turned it up ice and made a quick rush into the Reign zone.  Chris Lawrence made a pretty move to slip between two defenders while pulling the puck between one defender’s legs and backhanded a shot over goalie Martin Jones at 19:40.  The goal seemed to take the air out of the Reign going into the second intermission.

The Thunder kept the pressure up in the third.  Just over eight minutes in, the Reign failed to clear the puck from their zone.  Cameron Brodie took control of the puck along the left-wing boards and made a quick pass to Jim McKenzie in the slot who put it in the net.  Two minutes later, Jordan Cyr picked up a loose puck in the Reign end, skated nearly to the goal line and ripped a short-side goal over the glove of Martin Jones for a 5-1 Thunder lead.  The Reign got their first power play goal of the pre-season at 11:27.  Only five seconds after the Thunder’s Fraser Clair was called for slashing, Eric Doyle threw a puck at the net which appeared to hit a Stockton player and deflect past goaltender Tyson Sexsmith to make it a 5-2 game.  But that was as close as the Reign would come.  The Thunder added one more goal late in the game to make it a 6-2 victory over the Reign.

The Thunder, who had already beaten the Alaska Aces in two pre-season games, appeared more in synch than the Reign, who were playing their first contest.  Reign goaltender Martin Jones took the loss less than 24 hours after being assigned to the team from the Manchester Monarchs, while Tyson Sexsmith won his second pre-season game for the Thunder in as many tries.

The Reign host the Thunder Saturday at 6:00 PM at Citizens Business Bank Arena for the final pre-season game for both teams.

Three stars of the game:
1.  STK – Warrens
2.  STK – Aiello
3.  STK – Sexsmith

To view the box score, click here.

REIGN DROPS
Reign fans, don’t miss the fun and excitement of opening night on Saturday, October 23rd when the Reign take on the Stockton Thunder at 7:00 P.M, the 2010-11 Season is presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino.  All fans in attendance will receive a 2010-11 Reign magnet schedule, compliments of Shakey's Pizza and Cameron the Crazy Fan will be there to pump up the crowd.  The Reign will cap off the night with a post-game player party at Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar.  Don’t miss the thrilling action as professional hockey returns to the Inland Empire.

Individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the Citizens Business Bank Arena box office or online at www.ontarioreign.com.  Call the Reign front office for more information at (909) 941-PUCK (7825).

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