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

The Ontario Reign, despite being without four impactful players, extended their win streak to six games with a shootout win over the Henderson Silver Knights.

Goal Breakdown

First period: 

HSK: Jakub Brabenec (8), ASST: Mitch McLain (12), Joe Fleming (9)

Second period: 

ONT: Kenta Isogai (2), ASST: Angus Booth (11), Kirill Kirsanov (8)

ONT: Martin Chromiak (19), ASST: None

Third period: 

HSK: PP Matyas Sapovaliv (12), ASST: Tanner Laczynski (34), Lukas Cormier (32)

ONT: Andre Lee (23), ASST: Angus Booth (12), Cole Guttman (21)

HSK: Raphael Lavoie (13), ASST: Trevor Connelly (16)

Overtime:

None

Shootout:

ROUND ONE:

HSK: Trevor Connolley – NO GOAL

ONT: Cole Guttman – NO GOAL

ROUND TWO:

HSK: Matyas Sapovaliv – NO GOAL

ONT: Martin Chromiak – GOAL

ROUND THREE:

HSK: Jakub Brabenec – NO GOAL

ONT: N/A

Stats

Goals: 

HSK: 3

ONT: 4

Shots: 

HSK: 33

ONT: 33

Power plays: 

HSK: 1/4

ONT: 0/1

Here are the three takeaways from Friday night’s shootout victory:

Injuries & call-ups don’t slow the Reign Train

It’s been a busy week of transactions for the Kings, which has an effect on the Reign roster. As the Kings have dealt with injuries, the Reign have seen first-year pros Jared Wright and Kenny Connors called up. In addition to the call-ups, Ontario has been without Nikita Alexandrov for the last two games (injury) and was without former seventh-round pick Aatu Jamsen after sustaining an injury and couldn’t go, per Reign insider Cam McGuire on the broadcast.

Despite the Roster being decimated with key players, it didn’t matter. The undermanned Reign battled and prevailed in a shootout for the third straight meeting against the Silver Knights, who are fighting for the final playoff spot. The Reign Train extended their win streak to six games, maintaining their two-point lead over the Colorado Eagles.

Martin Chromiak sets a new AHL career-high in goals

Martin Chromiak continues to have a spectacular season. After scoring a goal on Wednesday evening, Chromiak found the back of the net again – thanks to a little bit of help from Henderson’s forward, Mathieu Cataford.

Cataford served up a fresh pizza with his turnover up the middle of the ice in the Henderson end to Chromiak, and the fourth-year pro wristed one by the glove side of Carl Lindbom, giving the Reign a 2-1 lead late in the middle frame.

Chromiak wasn’t finished yet. With the game in the shootout and tied in the second round, Chromiak snapped a shot that hit Lindbom’s paddle and trickled between his legs across the goal line.

The shootout goal stood as the game-winning goal in the skills competition, and the regulation goal set a new AHL career-high for Chromiak with 19. He’s been excellent from the start of the season up to this point.

Pheonix Copley slams the door

Pheonix Copley surrendered three goals but had a phenomenal game. Copley turned aside 30 of 33 shots in regulation and overtime, including a right toe pad save on Tanner Laczynski to keep the game alive.

In the shootout, the veteran netminder stopped all three shots to preserve the win for Ontario. In two starts against Henderson after allowing six goals in a 6-2 defeat in October, Copley has turned away 65 of 71 shots (.915 sv%) and has won both games. He was the game’s third star for his performance.

NOTES:

*Angus Booth recorded his second multi-point game of the season. Known for his steady defensive game, the 21-year-old’s offensive game has been highlighted this week, with him scoring a goal in his NHL debut and recording three assists in two games since being loaned back to Ontario.

*Kenta Isogai recorded his second goal of the season.

*Andre Lee tallied his team-leading 23rd goal of the season with 7:03 remaining.

*Isogai and Keaton Mastrodonato were inserted into the lineup as Wright and Connors are more than likely to be called up today by the Kings.

*With the win, the Reign improved to 4-1 in shootouts (3-0 against Henderson). They were 7-1 in shootouts last season.

*Since January 3rd, Chromiak has posted eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points.

*Cole Guttman extended his point streak to three games with an assist.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign and Henderson Silver Knights will travel to Henderson for the rematch on Sunday, March 8th, at 3 PM PST. You can watch the game on FloSports and listen to it on the Ontario Reign Radio Network or on the ESPN LA app.

Featured image credit: Megan Sanders/Ontario Reign

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