04/04/2009 11:17 PM
Linden Rowat Saves 47 of 49 Shots, Claims Shootout Win
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings and AHL Manchester Monarchs, defeated the Bakersfield Condors in the shootout, 3-2, Saturday evening in front of 6,152 fans at Rabobank Arena. The game marked the last regular season match for both clubs.
The Condors were first out of the gate just 3:47 into the opening period. Right wing Mike Wirll threw the puck up and over Ontario goaltender Linden Rowat off assists from left wing Mark Derlago and defenseman Jay Langager. The early first period goal from Wirll was the only scoring in the first frame, but both teams racked up the penalties, with Bakersfield recording 23 minutes and Ontario registering 24. The clubs headed into the second period with the Condors leading, 1-0.
The Reign tied up the game only 1:44 into the second period, shorthanded while Dale Reinhardt served the remainder of his late first period interference major. Left wing Denny Johnston grabbed the puck and took off down the right side of the ice on a rush to the net. He wristed a shot towards the net from the bottom of the right face-off circle that squeezed into the goal between the pipe and Bakersfield netminder Jerad Kaufmann. Right wing Mike Howe and defenseman David Walker notched the assists on Johnston’s shorthanded equalizer.
Bakersfield reclaimed the lead at 14:23 during their third power play of the game. Center Dave Bonk took the initial shot on the net off an assist from Mark Derlago, but his bid was saved by Rowat. Mike Wirll picked up the loose puck and fired it into the Ontario net to give the Condors a 2-1 lead. Wirll’s second goal of the match closed out the middle period, as the teams geared up for the final period of play.
Reign center Tim Kraus scored the equalizer at 5:27. Right wing Geoff Walker’s shot bounced off the pads of Kaufmann and out to Kraus, who smashed the puck past the Bakersfield keeper. Right wing Bud Holloway registered the secondary assist, and Kraus’ goal made it a 2-2 game. The remainder of the third yielded no goals for either club, so they headed into a five minute sudden-death overtime session. The overtime session saw no change in the 2-2 score, so the clubs would close out their regular season with a shootout. Geoff Walker netted the shootout winner for Ontario, who won the game with a final score of Reign 3, Condors 2.
Shootout results:
1. BAK – B. Graham GOAL
2. ONT – T. Jackson GOAL
3. BAK – B. Pilkington NO GOAL
4. ONT – J. Rheault NO GOAL
5. BAK – M. Wirll GOAL
6. ONT – B. Holloway NO GOAL
7. BAK – D. Bonk NO GOAL
8. ONT – B. Mehalko GOAL
9. BAK – A. Ianiero NO GOAL
10. ONT – C. Starling NO GOAL
11. BAK – M. Derlago NO GOAL
12. ONT – T. Kraus NO GOAL
13. BAK – R. Mahrle NO GOAL
14. ONT – G. Walker GOAL
To view the box score, click here.
Three stars:
1. BAK – M. Wirll
2. ONT – L. Rowat
3. BAK – J. Kaufmann
Notes:
• Geoff Walker is currently on a 2-game point streak (1g, 1a) (4/3/09-4/4/09)
• Linden Rowat made 47 saves on 49 shots
REIGN DROPS
2009 Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are now on sale!! Tickets for all playoff rounds start at just $236/seat and range through only $428. Avoid additional facility and service fees by picking up your playoff tickets now. Call (909)941-PUCK (7825) to get a head start and reserve the best seats. Click here for more information about playoff tickets.
The Reign has clinched a spot in the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoff run! The team is extending a special offer to their fans to celebrate! The Hat Trick Offer is only $50, and includes an upper level ticket for three milestone Reign games: the first-ever playoff game in Reign history, Opening Night for the 2009-2010 season, and the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game! To reserve your Hat Trick package, call the Reign front office at (909)941-PUCK (7825).
Playoffs are here!! Are you looking for a place to stay for the Ontario Reign playoff games? The Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel is offering a special Reign rate of $92 (plus tax) per night. Be sure to call the Sheraton sales office to inquire about special group rates of 15 rooms or more. They have shuttle service to and from the airport, Citizens Business Bank Arena, as well as some other destination sites in the area. Call Dolly Fiacco at (909)937-8000 (ex. 660) to book your rooms today! For more information, go to sheraton.com/ontario.
Attention Reign Fans! Team action photos are now available for online purchase at www.ontarioreign.com under the “Multimedia - Photo Gallery” tab. The Ontario Reign team photographer is Lee Calkins.
Click here to see the 2008-2009 regular season conference standings.
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.
-www.ontarioreign.com-
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