The Ontario Reign finished the month of November strong by winning two of their final three games last week.
November wasn’t kind to the Reign as they finished the month with a 4-5-0-1 record, including a five-game losing streak in that span. They’ll look to get back on track in December.
Sunday Funday indeed! #ReignTrain pic.twitter.com/eTv63oo3Le
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 28, 2022
Here are the three stars of the week:
3rd star
The goalies
Stat line: Three games, six goals allowed, 86 saves on 92 shots faced, 2-1-0 record
Pheonix Copley: Two games, three goals allowed, 53 saves on 56 shots faced, 1-1-0 record
Matthew Villalta: One game, three goals allowed, 33 saves on 36 shots faced, 1-0-0 record
The previous three stars of the week segment saw the two goalies for the Ontario Reign earn the second star of the week, this week, they are the third star of the week. Once again, the Reign got solid goaltending from both Villalta and Copley. Both had strong performances as they were peppered with shots throughout the week, especially in the last two games.
What a save by the man, the myth, the cars fan, the legend – Matty V pic.twitter.com/zLWff1kfTc
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 28, 2022
While Copley has gotten more starts than Villalta this season, both goalies have been a great 1A/1B tandem giving the Reign a chance to win every night. That continued this past week from the two netminders. Their performances earned them the third star of the week.
2nd star
Alex Turcotte
Stat line: Three games, one goal, three assists, four points, +4 rating, four shots on goal.
Alex Turcotte had a nice week for the Ontario Reign, recording four points in three games, including two multi-point games. Turcotte moved up to the first line with Tyler Madden and Quinton Byfield a week ago and has looked comfortable playing on the wing. Turcotte had two assists in the first game of the week against the San Jose Barracuda and finally registered his first goal of the season in Sunday’s 4-3 victory against the Tucson Roadrunners.
What a shot by @Turcotte__71 late in the 3rd!#ReignTrain pic.twitter.com/W2iFjU2kdJ
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 28, 2022
While not living up to the 5th overall pick hype so far, having Turcotte play games right now is critical for both him and the organization, as injuries have kept him off the ice through much of his pro career. It’ll also be critical for him to produce as he did this past week. Both he and the Reign will need performances similar to this as the season progresses.
1st star
Quinton Byfield
Stat line: Three games, two goals, three assists, five points, +2 rating, four shots on goal
Quinton Byfield had his best stretch of games since joining the Ontario Reign on a conditioning assignment. Prior to last week, Byfield played in five games, recording only two goals. Not too eye-popping, but there was nothing wrong with his play, either. These last three games saw Byfield put up five points, including two multi-point games. The big centerman recorded three assists against the San Jose Barracuda and posted two goals in Sunday’s game against the Tucson Roadrunners, with his second being the game-winner.
We broke both our ankles just tweeting about this goal from @byfield55 #ReignTrain pic.twitter.com/7uEqbuaXo3
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 28, 2022
in the words of Cornelius Fudge
"He's Back"#ReignTrain pic.twitter.com/eNye49ES8s
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 28, 2022
Just like his linemate Turcotte, Byfield, will need to continue this kind of production during his stint with the Reign. When the Kings decide to call him up, his play will need to translate to the NHL level and turn into that top centerman the Kings envisioned him to be when they drafted him second overall in 2020.
Featured image: Mike Zitek/Ontario Reign