Ontario Reign: Three Takeaways From 4-3 Win Over Henderson

The Ontario Reign were outplayed for almost the entire game, but found a way to get two points with a 4-3 win over Henderson.

Goal Breakdown

First period: 

ONT: PP Andre Lee (6), ASST: Cole Guttman (6), Samuel Bolduc (3)

Second period: 

ONT: PP Taylor Ward (10), ASST: Joe Hicketts (8), Martin Chromiak (7)

HSK: PP Matyas Sapovaliv (3), ASST: Trevor Connelly (4), Kai Uchaz (5)

HSK: Tanner Laczynski (6), ASST: Jonas Rondjberg (6), Lucas Johansen (2)

Third period: 

HSK: Tanner Laczynski (7), ASST: None

ONT: Angus Booth (1), ASST: Kyle Burroughs (3), Martin Chromiak (8)

ONT: Cole Guttman (4), ASST: Kyle Burroughs (4), Glenn Gawdin (9)

Stats

Goals: 

HSK: 3

ONT: 4

Shots: 

HSK: 38

ONT: 16

Power plays: 

HSK: 1/3

ONT: 2/3

Here are the three takeaways from last night’s 4-3 victory:

Character & Resilience

The Reign didn’t play their best at all. This was a game where Ontario didn’t play their A or B game; it was probably their C or D game. Even though the Reign took a 2-0 lead with two power-play goals, one from Andre Lee and one from Taylor Ward, Henderson dominated puck possession and pace.

Henderson eventually tied it just past the midway point of the second period, and the shots on goal counter were 29-8 in their favor through 40 minutes. Tanner Laczynski would give Henderson a 3-2 lead with 5:11 left, but the Reign didn’t lie down.

Angus Booth and Cole Guttman found the back of the net 58 seconds apart to give the Reign a 4-3 lead with 1:57 remaining. When the final horn sounded, the Reign hung on for the two points in a game they probably didn’t deserve to have.

Character and resiliency have been an identity of Ontario’s game, and despite getting outplayed and falling behind late, they battled back and stole two points.

“Everyone stuck together…It shows we’re a good team,” Reign forward Andre Lee said after the game.

The comeback win gave the Reign their third straight win.

Pheonix Copley stands tall

Pheonix Copley got the start for the Reign and right off the bat was tested early. Copley saw seven shots within the first nine minutes of the game and stopped all of them. With the Reign under siege from puck drop, it was their netminder who kept the team afloat. If it wasn’t for Copley, the score might have been a lopsided one in Henderson’s favor early on.

Copley stood on his head, and it was his best game up to date, making 35 saves on 38 shots. He was a crucial reason why the Reign were able to steal two points. He was named the game’s third star for his performance.

Veterans heating up

Ward and Guttman have quietly been heating up over the past week. Ward has scored a goal in three straight, including a power-play goal in two straight. Ward has seen his fair share of hot and cold streaks, and perhaps Reign fans may see another one of those hot streaks on the horizon.

Cole Guttman has had a great start to the season, but it hasn’t shown up on the scoresheet. Guttman, a crafty playmaker and skater, has now found his stride and is playing a pivotal role in the Reign offense. The former Jr. King and Northridge native has tallied a goal in back-to-back games and seven points (3 G, 4 A) in seven games.

NOTES:

*Martin Chromiak recorded two assists for his second multi-point game this year. He has a five-game point streak (1 G, 5 A).

*Kyle Burroughs recorded his first multi-point game this year with two assists.

*Andre Lee’s power-play goal tied him with Martin Chromiak for the team lead with four.

*Taylor Ward’s goal put him in double digits with 10. He is three goals away from setting a new career high in the AHL.

*Andrew Lord had Kenny Connors on the ice late in the game with the Reign protecting a one-goal lead. “Real solid player. Sees the ice really well on both sides of the puck. Really good on faceoffs. Good down low in the defensive zone and willing to block shots,” Lord said.

*Angus Booth got off to a slow start but has gotten better with each passing game. He was matched up against Henderson’s top line, similar to how Marco Sturm deployed him last year. “He had an unfortunate start [with the injury]…His game is starting to build now…He’s a really good defender. Good skating ability and good gaps. He’s hard to play against,” Lord said.

*Otto Salin played his third straight game on the top pair with Joe Hicketts. He has noticeably not shied away from crashing the net and jumping into the plays on rush opportunities as a defenseman. “He’s growing. I think he’s getting better and better and more confident out there. I think the defending is going in the right direction, and his puck touches are as well. Solid evening for him,” said Lord on Salin after the game.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign return to action against the Texas Stars. It will be the Reign’s first game outside of the division this year. The puck drops at 7 PM PST, and you can watch the game on FloHockey and KCAL+ (channel 9.6). You can also listen to the game on the Ontario Reign radio network or the ESPN LA app.

Featured image credit: Megan Sanders/Ontario Reign

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