Ontario and Phoenix Split Back-To-Back Games
ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings and AHL Manchester Monarchs, was defeated by the Phoenix RoadRunners Friday evening in front of 4,492 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
The RoadRunners opened up scoring in the match. At 8:53, center Daniel Sisca beat Reign goaltender Jeff Zatkoff with a wraparound goal that gave Phoenix an early 1-0 lead.
Less than three minutes later, right wing Ashton Rome launched a slap shot from the left face-off circle that beat Zatkoff on his glove side. Center Gino Guyer and defenseman T.J. Campbell registered the assists on the p lay.
The Reign answered back at 15:46 and cut the RoadRunners’ lead to one. Right wing Mike Howe redirected a pass from defenseman Dan Knapp and buried the puck behind Phoenix netminder Chris Beckford-Tseu. Forward Dale Reinhardt picked up an assist, and the clubs headed into the second period with Reign looking for the equalizer.
At 1:40 in the second period, center Kimbi Daniels grabbed the loose puck and slid it into the empty side of the net before Zatkoff could get back into position. Left wing James McEwan and T.J. Campbell picked up the assists on the goal.
Right wing Bud Holloway continued his habit of scoring in every game when he got the puck in the neutral zone. A Phoenix player knocked it away, but Holloway regained possession. Just over the blue line, Holloway got around one of the RoadRunners with an impressive deke and buried the puck behind Beckford-Tseu. Holloway’s unassisted goal brought the Reign within one goal of Phoenix.
Holloway wasn’t finished, though, and picked up his second goal of the game just under four minutes later at 10:52. Right wing Denny Johnston took a shot, but his bid didn’t make it through. Holloway was ready in front the net and pushed it in behind Beckford-Tseu. Defenseman P.J. Atherton also registered an assist on the game-tying goal.
The Reign’s lead didn’t last long. Defenseman Jim Jorgensen came around the back of the net and threw the puck into the top corner at 12:42. Zatkoff dived for the puck, but couldn’t make the save, and Phoenix took the lead, 4-3.
The Reign answered back and tied the game, 4-4, at 17:34. Right wing Jon Rheault streaked to the net and took a shot from the side of the goal. Denny Johnston shoved the puck into the net between the post and Beckford-Tseu’s pads. Johnston notched his second multi-point game in a row on the play and the teams headed into the final period with the scored tied, 4-4.
The RoadRunners scored two unanswered goals late in the third period. With their first at 10:28, Phoenix regained the lead. Gino Guyer recorded his second point of the night when his wrister found the back of the net with an assist from right wing Michael Cohen. Just under four minutes later, Ashton Rome scored his second goal of the match when he threw a shot on goal that ricocheted into the net. The unassisted goal extended the RoadRunners lead, 6-4. The Reign pulled Zatkoff for the extra attacker, but wasn’t able to capitalize on the man advantage. Phoenix went on to win the game, with a final score of RoadRunners 6, Reign 4.
To view the box score, click here.
Three stars:
1. ONT – B. Holloway
2. PHX – A. Rome
3. ONT – D. Johnston
Notes:
• Bud Holloway extended his point streak to 6-games (7g, 2a) (2/18/09-2/27/09)
• Dan Knapp is currently on a 4-game assist streak (4a) (2/22/09-2/28/09)
• Jon Rheault is on a 4-game point streak (2g, 4a) (2/22/09-2/27/09)
• Denny Johnston is on a 2-game point streak (1g, 3a) (2/26/09-2/27/09)
REIGN DROPS
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.
Saturday, February 28, the first 3,500 fans in attendance when Ontario takes on Las Vegas will receive a special edition Reign trucker cap!
Are you looking to get in the sports industry? Now is your opportunity!! The Ontario Reign will host a Job Fair at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday, March 6, 2009 from 2 – 5 p.m. You will be networking with top executives from leading sports and entertainment organizations such as the Clippers, Dodgers, Kings, Galaxy, Angels, Chivas USA, Defenders, Arsenal, Quakes & the 66ers. Pre-registration is required; the $10 registration fee includes a ticket to that night’s 7:00 p.m. game vs. the Stockton Thunder. Bring multiple copies of your resume. Call Greg Mejia to pre-register at (909) 941-7838 or email him at gmejia@ontarioreign.com.
The Reign is Going Green on Saturday, March 7! The Reign and the Frontier Project joined forces, and fans will experience an Eco-Village, have the opportunity to recycle old cell phones for Chuck-A-Pucks, and watch the Reign take the ice in specially designed green jerseys! The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a limited edition green puck. The Reign will be auctioning off their game-worn jerseys after the game, with all proceeds benefitting the Frontier Project. The Foothill Communities New Generation Rotary Club will be hosting an electronic waste (E-Waste) recycling collection event in the parking lot of Citizens Business Bank Arena from 9 am – 4 pm.
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.
-www.ontarioreign.com-
|
