Ontario Reign: Three takeaways from 4-1 win at Henderson

The Ontario Reign played a perfect matinee game on the road as they defeated the Henderson Silver Knights, 4-1.

If you’re a Taylor Swift fan, you have to love the reference the Reign social media team came up with during the game yesterday, right?

Goal Breakdown

First period:

ONT: Mikhail Maltsev (2), ASST: TJ Tynan (2), Jacob Moverare (1)

ONT: Jacob Doty (1), ASST: Brandt Clarke (2), Taylor Ward (2)

Second period:

ONT: Brandt Clarke (2), ASST: Jacob Moverare (2), TJ Tynan (3)

Second period:

HSK: Alex Swetlikoff (1), ASST: Patrick Guay (1), Jake Bischoff (3)

ONT: EN Mikhail Maltsev (3), ASST: Brandt Clarke (3), TJ Tynan (4)

Stats

Goals: 

ONT: 4

HSK: 1

Shots: 

ONT: 28

HSK: 29

Power plays:

ONT: 0/2

HSK: 0/2

Here are the three takeaways from Friday afternoon’s 4-1 victory

The big names came to play

The big boys came to play for the Ontario Reign yesterday. TJ Tynan, Mikhail Maltsev, and Brandt Clarke (more on him later) all recorded multi-point games. Even Jacob Moverare added two assists. Maltsev opened the scoring just past the halfway point of the opening period with a quick release by the glove of Jiri Patera. From there on, the Reign never looked back and played a perfect road game against the leaders of the Pacific Division. In 11 a.m. games, you’re going to need everyone to be ready and the Reign got that with big performances from the big guns.

Making a difference

Brandt Clarke wants to be that player who makes the difference. If he has an opportunity to make plays, he will do everything he can to make them. After the Ontario Reign’s home opener loss to the San Diego Gulls two weeks ago, head coach Marco Sturm praised Clarke for wanting to be the difference in the game. I say he did just that yesterday as he recorded a goal, two assists, four shots on goal, and a plus-four rating. He was all over the ice. His goal in the second period showed the skill and creativity he has on the offensive side of the puck with that spin move at the blue line and drag.

David Rittich looks solid again

After a slow start in his first two games, David Rittich looks to have found a rhythm in his last three starts. After earning a 41-save shutout against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Rttich was given the starting nod again yesterday. While he wasn’t as busy as he was on Wednesday, Rittich was once again solid and made the saves when needed against a top-five offense in scoring in the AHL. Rittich’s 28 saves earned him the first star of the game honors for the second straight game.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign return home tomorrow for a late afternoon matchup against the Abbotsford Canucks. The game starts at 3:00 p.m. PT and can be seen on AHLTV.

Featured image credit: Henderson Silver Knights

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