Ontario Reign: Three takeaways from 4-3 OT win against Tucson

The Ontario Reign didn’t play their best game but were able to steal two points in a 4-3 overtime win on the road in Tucson.

Goal Breakdown

First period:

TUC: Michael Carcone (8), ASST: Adam Cracknell (7), Victor Soderstrom (10)

ONT: PP Lias Andersson (6), ASST: Jordan Spence (18), TJ Tynan (20)

TUC: Adam Cracknell (7), ASST: Michael Carcone (18), Vladislav Kolyachonok (2)

Second period: 

ONT: Andre Lee (1), ASST: Nate Thompson (4), Tobie Bisson (6)

TUC: Adam Cracknell (8), ASST: Cameron Crotty (3), Nathan Smith (5)

Third period: 

ONT: Helge Grans (2), ASST: Quinton Byfield (5), Tyler Madden (5)

Overtime:

ONT: PP Quinton Byfield (8), ASST: Lias Andersson (6), TJ Tynan (21)

Stats

Goals:

ONT: 4

TUC: 3

Shots: 

ONT: 23

TUC: 47

Power-plays:

ONT: 2/4

TUC: 0/3

Three takeaways from Friday’s 4-3 overtime win:

1. Andre Lee gets his first professional goal

The Ontario Reign were hemmed in their own zone in the second period getting outshot 23-2. Of those two shots, one of them found the back of the net. That goal would come off the stick of Andre Lee. A surprising shot from Lee beat Roadrunners’ netminder Jon Gillies five-hole to tie the game at two at that point.

The fourth line of Samuel Helenius, Nate Thompson, and Andre Lee has been effective in the last few games. Lee has had quite a few chances to get that first professional goal the previous week but was finally able to break through Friday evening. Congrats Andre!

2. Byfield wins it in OT

Quinton Byfield found the scoresheet twice in Friday’s game. His first point came in the third period on a primary assist when Helge Grans tied the game at three. His second point would be the game-winner on the power play giving him his fourth multi-point game.

After winning the draw, TJ Tynan threw the puck across the slot to Lias Andersson, who was wide open, while Byfield just happened to go to the right place at the right time. Andersson’s shot was stopped by Gillies, however, nobody covered Byfield as he got the loose puck and immediately fired it into the open cage.

While the LA Kings have Adrian Kempe playing third-line center at this moment, Byfield continues to stand out recording 13 points in 12 games in Ontario. In just 13 games, he now leads the Reign in goals on the season with eight and is third on the team in points. He should be called up any minute now.

3. Cal Petersen stands tall

The Roadrunners dominated this game. After being outshot 12-11 in the first period, Tucson outshot Ontario 36-11 the rest of the way, including 23-2 in the second frame. Cal Petersen made some key saves to keep the game close as the Reign headed into the dressing room only down one. Even though the Roadrunners had two shots in overtime they were both dangerous chances, including a 2-on-0 breakaway after a Petersen turnover on a stretch pass.

The Ontario Reign stole two points and were able to because of Petersen’s play in net. If Rob Blake isn’t going to trade for a goalie, Petersen will need to continue to build his confidence up and improve his game and continue to do so when he gets back with the Kings. Right now, he needs to keep playing this way to get to that point. So far he has looked good in Ontario, but we will need to see more of it going forward.

Featured image credit: Tucson Roadrunners

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