April 3, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Hendrick, Ontario Reign PR Intern
Phone: 909-941-7825
Email: pr@ontarioreign.com
Reign Drop First Playoff Game in Idaho 3-2
Kraemer and Stretch net Ontario's first playoff tallies
BOISE, ID.- The Ontario Reign (0-1-0-0), proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, carried their physical style of play into their first Kelly Cup Playoff match against the Idaho Steelheads (1-0-0-0), but fell 3-2 before a crowd of 1,823 in Boise, Idaho on Tuesday night.
The Steelheads took an early lead in Boise as Ron Myers scored just 1:42 into play. A five-minute boarding penalty dealt to Reign defenseman, Benn Olson, gave Ontario their first successful penalty-kill of the playoff season. Ontario was held scoreless in the first period.
A chippy game ensued through the second frame as Idaho attempted to counter Ontario’s physical play. Kyle Kraemer, Ontario’s all-time leading scorer with 41 goals over two seasons, netted the equalizer at the 16:47 mark of the second period. Kraemer picked up a bouncing puck in the middle of the Steelheads zone and skated it to the right faceoff circle where he fired a shot through traffic past Kuhn.
C.J. Stretch gave Ontario their first lead of the game early in the third off a wide feed from Kevin Estrada. Stretch was in perfect position behind the Idaho defense and shot it past Kuhn. Mike Gabinet took a slashing penalty giving Idaho the advantage, which Aaron Lewicki converted off a pass from Flichel, to tie the game 2-2 at 14:38. With the game appearing to head into an extra frame, Idaho made a rush into the Reign end. LeBlanc sent a hard pass from the neutral zone up to Flichel who fired a wrist shot past Berube with 1:34 left in regulation.
Berube took the first post-season loss stopping 23 of 26 shots, and Kuhn earned the win stopping 27 of 29.
Three Stars:
1) IDH - M. Flichel
2) IDH - A. Lewicki
3) IDH - R. Meyer
Click here to view the box score.
Reign Drops:
The second game of the potential, five-game series continues in Idaho, on Wednesday, April 4 at 6:10 p.m. PDT. Be sure to join us at Boston's for the first playoff watch party. Enjoy Happy Hour specials until 7:00 p.m.
The teams will end the series in Ontario and play the third game at Citizens Business Bank Arena, Friday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m., and, if necessary, the fourth and fifth games are scheduled for Saturday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m., and Monday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m.
To get in on the playoff action visit ontarioreign.com or call a sales representative at 909-941-7825 today! Tickets start as low as $12 and there are still great seats available! When you purchase your tickets at Citizens Business Bank Arena box office you have choice of an Ontario Reign Drive to the Kelly Cup rally towel or an Ontario Reign team photo (while supplies last).
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