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

The Ontario Reign led by two goals three times and hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Iowa Wild for their third straight win.

Goal Breakdown

First period: 

ONT: Kenny Connors (8), ASST: Aatu Jamsen (5), Jared Wright (7)

ONT: PP Cole Guttman (9), ASST: Nikita Alexandrov (20)

IA: PP Boris Katchouk (5), ASST: Jean-Luc Foudy (8), Ben Gleason (12)

ONT: Jared Wright (7), ASST: Glenn Gawdin (21), Joe Hicketts (11)

Second period:

IA: Carson Lambos (3), ASST: Dylan Gambrell (5), Oskar Olausson (8)

ONT: Martin Chromiak (14), ASST: Nikita Alexandrov (21), Glenn Gawdin (22)

IA: PP Gerry Mayhew (10), ASST: David Spacek (15), Dylan Gambrell (6)

Third period: 

None

Stats

Goals: 

IA: 3

ONT: 4

Shots: 

IA: 27

ONT: 20

Power plays: 

IA: 2/5

ONT: 1/2

Here are the three takeaways from Wednesday night’s victory:

Strong start, but another second-period letdown

The Reign started the game on fire, scoring on their first shot on goal and twice on three shots on goal. They would add another goal in the opening frame, giving them three goals on eight shots on goal.

It looked like they were well on their way to cruise control. Then, the second period happened again.

Ontario, for the third time in four games, took their foot slightly off the gas pedal to allow the opposition to take over the game. Iowa built off their strong play by outscoring the Reign 2-1 in the frame to get back in the game and within a goal.

While the Reign were able to hang on for the win, it’s something they won’t want to have a lingering effect down the line.

The Price is Wright

Speaking of a strong first period, Jared Wright had himself a strong first period and an overall performance. Wright recorded a goal and an assist for his fourth multi-point game of the season. He also had a strong penalty killing effort to help kill off Jack Hughes’ double minor high-sticking penalty.

The former sixth-round pick (2022) has 14 points (7 G, 7 A) in 33 games and has thrived in his role as a third-line winger for the Reign in his rookie campaign.

Power play heater

No Andre Lee or Taylor Ward? No problem for the Reign power play.

The Reign’s power play has remained a force to be reckoned with over the last four games. The Reign struck on the man advantage for the fourth consecutive game with Cole Guttman’s second power-play goal on the homestand. Although the power play isn’t lighting up the scoreboard with multiple tallies, they have started to look better and are finding a groove.

NOTES:

*Glenn Gawdin extended his point streak to 12 games.

*Nikita Alexandrov recorded his fourth multi-point game since joining the Reign. He has 14 points (4 G, 10 A) in 14 games with the club.

*Martin Chromiak’s 14th goal of the season stood as the game-winning goal. His 14 goals rank second on the team.

*Cole Guttman’s power-play goal was his second of the season. He has seven points (4 G, 3 A) in five games since returning from his two-game suspension.

*Kenny Connors opened the scoring with his eighth goal of the season.

*Ontario is 12-1-0-0 when scoring the first goal and 14-0-1-0 when leading after two periods.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign conclude their five-game homestand with a matchup against the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday. That game starts at 7 PM PST and can be seen on FloHockey or KCAL+ (channel 9.6). If you are unable to watch the game, you can listen to it on the Ontario Reign radio network or on the ESPN LA app.

Featured image credit: Christopher Mora/Ontario Reign

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