Ontario, Calif. – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, dropped their season opener, 5-4, to the Bakersfield Condors before 6,325 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena Friday night.  Four Reign players recorded their first goals of the season and Dylan Yeo had two assists in the game.

The Reign were down 2-0 to the Condors on goals by Matt Marquardt and Jesse Gimblett when Derek Couture scored Ontario’s first goal of the season at the 16:25 mark of the second period to make it 2-1.  Dylan Yeo’s shot pulled Condors goaltender Bryan Pitton out of position and Couture snapped the puck into a wide-open net.  

The teams proceeded to trade goals.  Scott Freeman put Bakersfield ahead 3-1 at 15:51 before Brady Calla pulled Ontario to within a goal.  Calla and Shayne Neigum raced down the ice against a lone Bakersfield defender.  Calla froze Pitton with a quick look toward Neigum and then fired the puck into the net at 12:55 to make it 3-2.  The Condors regained their two-goal advantage just over a minute later on a goal by Mike Kramer at 11:56.  Francois Brisebois had a goal disallowed due to goaltender interference, but made one count shortly thereafter.  Jeff MacPhee one-timed Steven Tarasuk’s pass toward the Bakersfield net and Brisebois redirected it past Pitton to cut the Bakersfield lead to 4-3 at 8:50.

The teams were skating four-on-four midway through the third period when Bill Bagron scored the equalizer for Ontario.  Yeo picked up an errant Bakersfield pass in the neutral zone, skated down the left wing and pushed the puck to Bagron who went top shelf to tie the game 4-4 at 8:28.  However, the Condors responded, as Michael Gergen scored with just 4:49 left in regulation to put Bakersfield back on top, 5-4.  Ontario had two power plays in the closing minutes, but couldn't close the gap.

Pitton made 32 saves on 36 shots for the win, while Jean-Francois Berube stopped 15 of 20 shots in the loss.

To view the box score, click here.

Three stars:
1) BAK – Michael Gergen
2) ONT – Francois Brisebois
3) ONT – Dylan Yeo

REIGN DROPS