Ontario Reign: Three Stars of the Week 3/3 – 3/9

Another week has passed, and it’s time for our Three Stars of the Week honors for the Ontario Reign – who went 0-2-1-0 in three games. Before we name the three stars, let’s quickly recap last week’s three games for the Reign.

4-1 loss to Tucson

The Reign had a good start despite being tied at one through 20 minutes on goals by Taylor Ward (ONT) and Andrew Agozzino (TUC). However, a second period lapse saw Tucson take a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame. The Reign came out with a push in the final period, throwing pucks to the net at will, but former Reign goalie Matthew Villalta denied all of the Reign’s 20 shots on goal. Tucson would put the icing on the cake with an empty-net goal from former Reign defenseman Kevin Connauton for a 4-1 victory.

3-2 OT loss to San Diego

Again, the Reign got off to a good start, outshooting the Gulls 15-3 and would lead 1-0 after 20 minutes of play on Samuel Fagemo’s eighth power-play goal of the year (22nd goal overall). But again, the Reign would get outscored in the middle frame, leading to a 2-2 tie after 40 minutes. With no team scoring in the final frame, the game would head to overtime to decide the winner. A bad change by the Reign in overtime would lead to Ryan Carpenter’s league-leading fourth overtime goal of the year for a 3-2 Gulls victory in Ontario.

5-3 loss to San Diego

The Reign and Gulls met again less than 24 hours after the Gulls defeated the Reign on Ontario’s home ice. However, this game was played in San Diego. Ontario looked to rebound after a tough loss and looked like they were well on their way with a 2-0 lead on goals from Luke Rowe and Jeff Malott after the first period. Remember the second period woes in the previous two games? Well, they resurfaced in this one again. San Diego scored three times in the final five minutes on goals from Justin Bailey (penalty shot), Judd Caudfield, and Nikita Nesterenko (four-on-four), giving the home team a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.

The Reign would tie it on a two-on-one goal from Jack Studnicka, but a late rebound goal from Jan Myšák and an empty-net goal from Nathan Gaucher propelled San Diego to a 5-3 win and a weekend sweep against the Reign. It was the first time the Reign lost three games in a row when scoring first and the losing streak extended to five games.

Third star

Jack Studnicka

Stats: Three games played, one goal, one assist, two points, +1, nine shots on goal

Jack Studnicka is this week’s third star with a goal and an assist. Studnicka has been one of the Reign’s consistent players but was in the midst of a slump entering this week. Studnicka played a part in Taylor Ward’s goal as an aggressive forecheck by him and Andre Lee led to the turnover leading up to Ward’s goal. He didn’t find the scoresheet in that game but did with an assist on Francesco Pinelli’s short-handed tally in the Reign’s 3-2 overtime loss to San Diego by breaking up a pass at the Reign blue line, leading to Pinelli’s breakaway. The assist snapped a five-game pointless streak for the centerman.

The 26-year-old had his best game of the week in the Reign’s 5-3 loss to the Gulls with a goal and a game-high seven shots on goal. Studnicka is fast and one of a few Reign players who are good at carrying the puck upon zone entry.

Second star

Jeff Malott

Stats: Three games played, one goal, zero assists, one point, +/- 0 rating, five shots on goal

Jeff Malott is this week’s second star with one goal in three games played. Despite it only being one goal, it was a big moment for the power forward. Malott’s goal in the Reign’s 5-3 defeat to the Gulls was goal number 100 and point 200 in his AHL career. He reached two milestones with one shot, which is why he is this week’s second star.

First star

Francesco Pinelli

Stats: Three games played, one goal, two assists, three points, -3 rating, seven shots on goal

Francesco Pinelli is this week’s first star, leading all Reign skaters with three points during the week. Pinelli didn’t record a point in the Reign’s 4-1 loss against Tucson, but was the Reign’s consistent player throughout the contest. He recorded all three games against the Gulls, a team he loves playing against, including a power-play assist and short-handed goal in the Reign’s 3-2 overtime loss at home. His three points gave him 24 on the season (53 games played) and nine points against the Gulls (seven games played).

“He had a slow start, but the last few months, I thought he was much better, skating better. He’s more involved. He’s still learning and trying to find his way, but I like where he’s heading. We need him right now. We need him on the PK with Madden gone. He’s going to get more opportunities,” Sturm said on the strides Pinelli has made from year one to year two after the Reign’s overtime loss to San Diego.

Featured image credit: MikemZitek/Ontario Reign

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