A back-and-forth game saw the Ontario Reign on the losing end as they dropped game one of their weekend series against Calgary.

Goal Breakdown

First period:

ONT: Akil Thomas (2), ASST: Alex Turcotte (9), Brandt Clarke (8)

CGY: PP Rory Kerins (2), ASST: Jonathan Aspirot (3), Jordan Oesterle (5)

Second period:

ONT: Andre Lee (1), ASST: Jacob Doty (1), Samuel Helenius (3)

CGY: Cole Schwindt (3), ASST: Dryden Hunt (4), Matt Coronato (4)

Third period:

ONT: Andre Lee (2), ASST: Jacob Moverare (4), Steven Santini (5)

CGY: Ben Jones (4), ASST: Adam Klapka (4), Rory Kerins (5)

CGY: Clark Bishop (4), ASST: Ilya Nikolaev (2)

ONT: Alex Turcotte (3), ASST: Mikhail Maltsev (5), Samuel Fagemo (1)

Overtime: 

None

Shootout:

Round 1:

ONT: Taylor Ward – NO GOAL

CGY: Rory Kerins – GOAL

Round 2:

ONT: Samuel Fagemo – NO GOAL

CGY: Cole Schwindt – NO GOAL

Round 3:

ONT: Brandt Clarke – NO GOAL

CGY: N/A

Stats

Goals:

CGY: 5

ONT: 4

Shots:

CGY: 21

ONT: 24

Power plays: 

CGY: 1/3

ONT: 0/4

Here are the three takeaways from Friday’s 5-4 shootout loss:

A shootout decides this one

Sixty-five minutes weren’t enough as the Calgary Wranglers and Ontario Reign went to a shootout in their first meeting of the year. Rory Kerins’ goal in the first round of the shootout was the only goal scored between the five shooters. With every goal the Reign scored, the Wranglers struck back quickly. When the Wranglers took the lead for the first time late in the third period, the Reign struck back with the extra attacker.

The Wranglers dominated the season series against the Reign in last year’s season matchup by winning seven of the eight games, but the Reign held their own in this contest in a back-and-forth affair. Ultimately, just like they always do, Calgary found a way to win this game. Overall, the Reign had their chance but can seek revenge in Sunday’s rematch.

Andre Lee scores twice in his return

After missing the first month of the season because of an injury in the preseason, Andre Lee made his season debut, playing on the fourth line with Samuel Helenius and Jacob Doty. Lee made an impact by scoring two goals and three shots on goal. “He’s the guy who came up to me and said I really want to play,” said head coach Marco Sturm after the game on Lee wanting to play in last night’s matchup.

“I felt great. I felt like I’d been away for a bit. I felt like I got into the game pretty quick. I got a few bumps in and went from there,” Lee said on his return to the lineup. The 6’4 forward got better as the game went on, as he was constantly in on the forecheck, around the net, and several scrums after the whistle.

Alex Turcotte earning a call-up?

For the first time in a while, Alex Turcotte has gone through a stretch of being healthy and playing games. If there has been one thing that has caused concerns about the former fifth-overall pick from Kings fans, it has been his health. So far, Turcotte has played in every game for the Ontario Reign and has been a factor. In 13 games, Turcotte has recorded 12 points (3-9) while playing a great two-way game.

As he was in the previous 12 games, Turcotte was all over the ice making plays, driving play, and causing turnovers in the Reign’s 5-4 loss. “Right now, he sticks with his game. He is a very consistent player. I think he just needs to be comfortable, and right now, he is comfortable, especially with his linemates too,” Sturm said about Turcotte’s overall game after the loss. If Pierre-Luc Dubois has to miss some games for the LA Kings, does Turcotte get the call? I believe so. From what we’ve seen in these 13 games, he’s earned it.

Featured image credit: Ontario Reign 

Tags:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *