Ryan Durham 
Thanks in part to Martin Frk, the Ontario Reign held on for a tough 4-3 win in San Diego to keep pace with Stockton in the Pacific Division.
GOALS:
1st Period:
4:18 ONT- Martin Frk (23) ASST: Tyler Madden (15), T.J. Tynan (45)
2nd Period:
10:18 ONT-Jaret Anderson-Dolan (18) ASST: Austin Strand (4), Matthew Villalta (1)
16:24 SD- Bryce Kindopp (6) ASST: Kodie Curran (10), Nikolas Brouillard (15)
18:08 ONT- Martin Frk (24) ASST: Austin Strand (5)
3rd Period:
4:29 SD- Brent Gates Jr. (6) ASST: Hunter Drew (10), Kodie Curran (11)
13:34 ONT- T.J. Tynan (9) ASST: Jordan Spence (29), Martin Frk (23) (PP)
17:37 SD- Trevor Carrick (5) ASST: Hunter Drew (11), Kodie Curran (12)
SHOTS:
ONT: 31
SD: 28
POWER-PLAYS:
ONT: 1/7
SD: 0/4
Three Takeaways from Saturday’s win:
1. Martin Frk is kind of a big deal
The Czech forward with the Howitzer shot continues to have an outstanding season for the Reign. Frk had two big goals and an assist against the rival Gulls and now has 47 points in 36 games this year.
He got things started early in the 1st period with his 23rd goal of the season and then struck again late in the 2nd with his 24th. Frk’s three points on the night paced Ontario to its 5th win in 6 games against San Diego.
#23 for Martin Frk. @ontarioreign | #ONTvsSD pic.twitter.com/TiTUctpooO
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) February 20, 2022
2. Power-play mini-slump
Although the Ontario Reign came into the game against San Diego with an AHL-leading 26.6 % success rate on the power play, they are 1/13 over their past two contests. Ontario was unable to convert on its three power-plays in the 1st period, making this game much tighter than it had to be.
T.J. Tynan finally ended the PP drought for Ontario with his 9th of the year, providing his side with a crucial two-goal cushion. While power-play slumps happen to even the best units, the Reign seem to be a completely different team when their power-play is clicking.
Here’s a look at Tynan’s game winner! pic.twitter.com/EhdhURHoXI
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) February 20, 2022
3. Closing Time
Coming into this game against the Gulls, Ontario boasted a record of 20-0-2 when leading after two periods this season. Trailing the Reign heading into the 3rd has basically been “game over” for the opposition this season.
This trend is obviously something that will need to continue if they want to overtake Stockton for 1st in the division and avoid a dreaded play-in 3-game series to begin the Calder Cup playoffs.
Next Up: the same two teams lace them up again tomorrow at 3:00 PST for a rematch. Should be a good one!