Ontario Reign: Three Takeaways From 4-3 OT Loss to Coachella Valley

For the second straight game, the Ontario Reign lost in overtime to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, resulting in a weekend sweep for their arch nemesis.

Goal Breakdown

First period: 

CV: Eduard Šalé (10), ASST: Tyson Jugnauth (30), John Hayden (9)

ONT: Andre Lee (24), ASST: Kenta Isogai (2)

Second period: 

CV: Lleyton Roed (8), ASST: Zach Uens (4)

ONT: Koehn Ziemmer (8), ASST: Francesco Pinelli (18), Angus Booth (13)

Third period: 

CV: Andrei Loshko (5), ASST: Gustav Olofsson (18)

ONT: Koehn Ziemmer (9), ASST: Jack Hughes (12), Nikita Novikov (13)

Overtime: 

CV: Ty Nelson (7), ASST: Lleyton Roed (19)

Stats

Goals: 

CV: 4

ONT: 3

Shots: 

CV: 39

ONT: 21

Power plays: 

CV: 0/2

ONT: 0/3

Here are the three takeaways from Saturday night’s overtime loss:

Koehn scores two huge goals

Koehn Ziemmer has been learning how to play the professional game, meaning he hasn’t lit the lamp as much as he did in juniors. It’s a transition many players go through as the game is vastly different from the junior level to the professional ranks.

No longer playing the role he did at Prince George of the WHL, Ziemmer has still found a way to make an impact despite the limited minutes and not playing every game. He has nine goals this season, and the last six he has scored have been timely.

His first goal came late in the final minute of the second period off a quick catch and release in the slot, giving Ontario momentum after chasing the play the entire period. His second tally of the contest was a slingshot from a bad angle as he caught Victor Ostman napping, tying the score at three, 15 seconds after Andrei Loshko put the Firebirds ahead 3-2 with 6:03 remaining in regulation.

The 21-year-old was highly touted for his scoring prowess during his draft year (2023) and has been clutch in several moments for the Reign. Despite not being an everyday player for most of the season, Ziemmer admitted to “feeling good” about his game over the last handful of games.

“I think I’m getting better every day. It’s tougher with the [limited] minutes, but I just try to take it in, do what I can to help the team, and play my role,” the forward said to the media after the loss.

His head coach also shared the same sentiment.

“I think he’s grown a tremendous amount,” Lord said. I think he’s moving his feet better. He’s being far more physical. He probably had five or six hits tonight. He’s doing what he needs to do to try to stay in the lineup and help us. And then obviously, the goal scoring at certain points is huge. There’s a lot to like from a young player in his first year. I think the growth has been exceptional and [he has a] really bright future.”

The next month will be a good test for Ziemmer’s development as he’ll continue to get games and grow as a player, especially in his skating.

Another sloppy overtime

For the second straight game, the Reign didn’t control the puck in the overtime session. As a result, it was another defensive miscue when Glenn Gawdin and Kirill Kirsanov didn’t communicate to pick up Ty Nelson in the slot to prevent him from getting a shot off on Erik Portillo to win the game.

What I noticed in both games was that the Firebirds deployed a strategic tactic by using Mitchell Stephens, their best faceoff centerman, to win the opening faceoff (which he did) and go off for a change. The strategy paid off for Coachella Valley on both nights as a result of possessing the puck for most of the overtime and earning a victory.

It was a game the Reign were lucky to get a point, thanks to Portillo’s 34 saves in regulation. Ontario’s puck management was awful for the whole game.

Three straight losses

The Reign hadn’t lost three games in a row all season until last night. Given there are 13 games remaining and the standings at the top of the division being as tight as they are, the Reign are facing adversity before the playoffs start. With the team mostly filled with first and second-year players, this is a good test to see how they respond when every game matters and has a playoff feel to them down the stretch.

NOTES:

*Jack Hughes extended his point streak to three games with an assist.

*Andre Lee recorded his 24th goal of the season.

*Angus Booth surpassed his point total from last season (13) with his assist on Ziemmer’s first goal of the game.

*Ziemmer’s two-goal performance was the second multi-goal game of his career.

*Portillo made 35 saves on 39 shots in the loss.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign return to action on Wednesday, March 18th, with a matchup against the Abbotsford Canucks at Toyota Arena. The game starts at 7 PM PST and can be seen on FloSports or KCAL+ (channel 9.6). You can also listen to the game on the Ontario Reign Radio Network or on the ESPN LA app.

Featured image credit: Ontario Reign

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