The Ontario Reign (28-12-1-1; 58 points) take a commanding 5-2 victory over the Abbotsford Canucks (15-23-3-3; 36 points) Wednesday night at Toyota Arena. Five different skaters scored for the Reign, coming together for a full team-effort. Ontario remains in first place in the AHL Pacific Division.
ONTARIO, CA - Five goals from five different players proved a showcase of a full effort, 60-minute team game from the Ontario Reign - where everybody came as their best.
And this effort resulted in a favorable 5-2 win over the Abbotsford Canucks Wednesday night at Toyota Arena.
With another victory under his belt, Erik Portillo improves his record to 11-1-1 this season, saving 23 of 25 shots tonight.
Tim Rego talked about the benefit of Portillo’s vocal approach in communicating what he sees on the ice to his fellow players while he’s at the net.
The Reign (28-12-1-1; 58 points) remain in first place in the Pacific Division and are 10-2 in their last 12 games.
When asked how this team keeps winning, Ontario coach Andrew Lord said:
“I think our depth’s been really good. I think there’s been obviously call-ups (to the Los Angeles Kings), injuries … but I think a lot of different guys stepped up and by committee, we found ways to win games. And we’ve won games in a lot of different fashions which is good but I think just the process all year, I think we’ve been getting better day-to-day, week-to-week.”
Two days ago, rookie Kenny Connors was recalled by the Kings, shifting things once again for the Reign - but they know how to adjust.
Andre Lee - the team’s leading scorer - displayed exactly why he’s at the top of the list, scoring Ontario’s first goal of the night and his 17th of the season.
Lukas Reichel scored for Abbotsford (15-23-3-3; 36 points) with less than a minute remaining in the opening period, tying the game as intermission ensued.
The second period was all Ontario, and the Canucks were nowhere to be found - offensively at least.
Three more skaters found the back of the net for Ontario: Jared Wright, Glenn Gawdin and Aatu Jämsen.
When asked about Wright’s development this season, Lord had plenty to compliment him on.
“He just works.” Lord said. “He just straight works. Every shift he just lays it on the line, using his speed to his advantage, obviously it’s a huge piece to his game. But I think he’s really rounding out his game; his details, his stick detail, his angling. And I think it really shows from a PK (penalty kill) to his 5-on-5 and when you’re doing stuff the right way every shift, good things are gonna happen.”
Gawdin had received a tripping penalty 12 minutes into the second period, but as soon as he finished serving his time in the penalty box, it took him 12 seconds to slide the puck into the net for a power-play goal.
Vilmer Alriksson scored for the Canucks in the third period, but it was too little too late.
Francesco Pinelli would score Ontario’s final goal with an assist from Wright, extending the Reign’s undefeated record against the Canucks this season to 3-0 and securing their 6th straight home victory.
Ontario will head south to visit the San Diego Gulls (18-14-6-3; 45 points) for a 6 p.m showdown at Pechanga Arena for their fourth meeting this season.
Category: General Sports
