Ontario Reign: Takeaways from the 2-0 loss to Calgary

The Ontario Reign got shut out for the second time this season as Dustin Wolf and the Calgary Wranglers clinch a playoff spot.

Thanks, @RCQuakes, for hanging out tonight!#ReignTrain pic.twitter.com/EgyJ4jyQRA

— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) March 11, 2023

✖️marks the spot! #CLINCHED #POSTSEASON @TheAHL pic.twitter.com/D4E2wmHdsb

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) March 11, 2023

Goal Breakdown

First period:

CGY: Clark Bishop (8), ASST: Kevin Rooney (8), Brett Sutter (15)

Second period:

None

Third period:

CGY: PP Cole Schwindt (13), ASST: Connor Zary (33), Nick DeSimone (25)

Stats

Goals:

CGY: 2

ONT: 0

Shots:

CGY: 22

ONT: 34

Power-plays:

CGY: 1/2

ONT: 0/5

Here are the three takeaways from Friday’s 2-0 loss:

Keep your emotions in check

There was one play that caught my attention in the third period. With the Reign trailing 1-0, captain TJ Tynan was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty 4:44 into the third period. Moments prior Tynan was upset because he felt he was interfered with or held down behind the Wranglers’ net and was giving an earful to the officials. The officials had enough and whistled Tynan for the unsportsmanlike penalty which awarded Calgary a power play. It only took 12 seconds for Calgary to score on the man advantage to make it 2-0.

📹 Coles’ heating up! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BqlORX4jla

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) March 11, 2023

With the Reign in the midst (at that time) of a five-game losing streak, you have to keep your emotions in check. Tynan is a fiery competitor but that was a horrible penalty to take at that time in the game. Unnecessary penalties always come back to bite you and it did for the Ontario Reign there.

The best players need to step up

When a team is on a six-game losing, sooner or later your best players need to step up. Jordan Spence has been recalled to the LA Kings, so players like Helge Grans and Tobias Bjornfort each will have a bigger role and need to seize the opportunity. Even though Samuel Fagemo has 20 goals on the season, 11 of those 20 goals have come on the power play. More chances need to be generated at 5-on-5.

Even fellow rookie Martin Chromiak has gone cold lately as his last goal came on February 22nd against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He started off cold, went on a hot streak, and hit a cold spell again. TJ Tynan’s last five points on the power play, his 5-on05 play needs to be better as well. After a strong month in January, Lias Andersson has only scored three goals and none in his last nine games.

As of late, the fourth line of Samuel Helenius, Andre Lee, and Tyrell Goulbourne has been the best line for the Ontario Reign. The best players need to be better, especially at 5-on-5 if the Ontario Reign want to end this six-game losing streak.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign and Calgary Wranglers will meet for the final time this Sunday. The game starts at 3 pm PT and can be seen on AHLTV.

Featured image credit: Mike Zitek/Ontario Reign