GAME PREVIEW: ONTARIO REIGN VS IDAHO STEELHEADS
2008-09 RECORD:
Ontario Reign: 18-10-1-1 (38 points) – 1st place - Pacific Division
Idaho Steelheads: 18-11-1-1 (38 points) – 2nd place – West Division
Arena: Citizens Business Bank Arena
Date: Friday, January 2
Time: 7:00 p.m.(PST)
Audio Broadcast: B2 Networks or ontarioreign.com streaming audio
Webcast: B2 Networks
2008-09 HEAD-TO-HEADSERIES
1/2/09 vs. Idaho 7:00 p.m.
1/3/09 vs. Idaho 7:00 p.m.
2/6/09 vs. Idaho 7:00 p.m.
3/25/09 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m.
3/27/09 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m.
3/28/09 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m.
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
Tonight’s match-up marks the first time that the Ontario Reign and Idaho Steelheads meet in club history, and the first of three scheduled at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The clubs will meet in Idaho at Qwest Arena in a three-game road series at the end of March. Coming into tonight’s match-up, the Reign has won six of their last seven games, in their longest win streak of the season, with Idaho tallying five wins out of their last six played.
Ontario currently ranks first in the Pacific Division standings, posting an overall record of 18-10-1-1 (38 points). The Reign are 9-5-1-0 in home games and 9-5-0-1 on the road. Idaho currently sits in second place in the West Division with an overall record of 18-11-1-1 (38 points).
Notes: Tonight, Reign right wing Brad Mehalko is making an appearance in his 200th ECHL career game.
STREAKS
(Points)
• Todd Jackson – 5 game point streak (2g, 4a = 6 points) (12/19/08-12/28/08)
• Jon Francisco – 5 game point streak (4g, 3a = 7 points) (12/19/08-12/28/08)
• Chris Curran – 3 game point streak (2g, 1a = 3 points) (12/21/08-12/28/08)
(Goals)
• Jon Francisco – 4 game goal streak (4g) (12/20/08-12/28/08)
(Assists)
• Todd Jackson – 3 game assist streak (4a) (12/21/08-12/28/08)
TEAM LEADERS
• Goals – Jon Francisco (13)
• Assists –Tim Kraus (16)
• Points – Jon Francisco (26)
• PIM – David Walker (56)
• PPG – Jon Francisco (6)
• Wins – John Murray (10)
• GAA – John Murray (2.31)
LEAGUE LEADERS
• Attendance – 5th (avg. 4,846)
• Power Play (overall) – 5th (.202)
• Power Play (home) – 3rd (.204)
• Shootout (overall) – 3rd (.750)
• Geoff Walker – 11th(tied) (rookie scoring) (24)
• Tim Kraus – 14th (tied) (rookie scoring) (22)
• Jon Francisco – 8th (tied) (power play goals) (6)
• Jon Francisco – 3rd (tied) (game winning goals) (4)
• Jon Francisco – 7rd (tied) (first goals) (4)
• John Murray – 7th (goals-against average) (2.31)
• John Murray – 6th (save percentage) (.925)
• John Murray – 7th (tied) (wins) (10)
REIGN DROPS
The Reign are back at home at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday, January 3, as they face-off against the Idaho Steelheads at 7 p.m.
Bring out a group of 20 or more to a Reign home game and find out how your group can REIGN over the arena for a night! Special pricing and Reign fan experiences are available for all Reign home games during the Reign's inaugural season presented by the Mission Inn. Contact a Reign representative at (909) 941-PUCK (7825) or visit www.ontarioreign.com for more information.
Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, at all TicketMaster locations, or by calling (213) 480-3232.
