Clubs Split Preseason Series
ONTARIO, Calif. –The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings, defeated the Las Vegas Wranglers in the shootout, 4-3, before a crowd of 500 fans at Center Ice Arena on Friday.
After a heated battle between the clubs in Las Vegas on Thursday, there was no shortage of emotion when the clubs hit the ice in Ontario on Friday evening.
Ontario was first out of the gate for the second game in a row. Center Dwight King streaked down the right side of the ice after receiving a feed from center Greg Hogeboom and wristed the puck into the top corner past Las Vegas netminder Joel Gistedt. Center Jon Francisco also picked up an assist on the play at 4:57, and the Reign took a 1-0 lead.
Ontario held the lead until 8:31, when Wranglers forward Adam Miller took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play and beat Reign goaltender Mike Zacharias with an assist from forward Jeff Hazelwood.
Neither club put any more points on the board in the first period, but the Reign lost center Tim Kraus when he left the game after receiving a misconduct, a game misconduct, and two minor penalties at 11:59.
Just over two minutes into the second frame, Greg Hogeboom picked up his second point of the night when he grabbed an assist on forward Mike Howe’s shorthanded goal. Howe sent a wrister past Gistedt and gave the Reign a 2-1 lead that they took into the final period of play.
Ontario gave up the lead at 2:40 in the third period, as left wing Matt Kang put one in the net for Las Vegas. Goalie Mike Zacharias made the initial save, but somehow a rebound made it over the line and the game was tied at two.
The Reign netted their second shorthanded goal of the match when right wing Jon Rheault got out ahead of the rush. Rheault skated to the top of the crease where he put on the brakes and faked right before burying the puck behind Gistedt to give the Reign a 3-2 lead.
Vegas answered right back just under a minute later with a power play goal from forward Matt Whitehead. Defenseman Nick Ross picked up the assist on the game-tying goal. Both clubs were unable to net another point for the remainder of regulation, so the game went into overtime.
None of the five shots in the overtime session crossed the red line, so the teams geared up for the shootout. Both teams sent in four shooters before defenseman Chad Starling netted the only goal in the shootout and the game winner for the Reign. Ontario claimed the shootout victory in the back-to-back preseason series with a final score of Reign 4, Wranglers 3.
To view the box score, click here.
Three stars:
1. Chad Starling – ONT
2. Greg Hogeboom – ONT
3. Peter Lenes – ONT
Shootout results:
1. Greg Hogeboom – ONT – NO GOAL
2. Mick Lawrence – LV – NO GOAL
3. Jon Rheault – ONT – NO GOAL
4. Sean Hurley – LV – NO GOAL
5. Andrew Martens – ONT – NO GOAL
6. Matt Kang – LV – NO GOAL
7. Todd Jackson – ONT – NO GOAL
8. Ned Lukacevic – LV – NO GOAL
9. Chad Starling – ONT – GOAL
10. Jason Krischuk – LV – NO GOAL
REIGN DROPS
The Ontario Reign will play their regular season home opener on Friday, October 30th at Citizens Business Bank Arena at 7:30 p.m. against the Las Vegas Wranglers. Fans in attendance will receive a 2009-2010 magnet schedule sponsored by the Holiday Inn Ontario Airport and glow Thunderstix sponsored by RanchoHomefinder.com (while supplies last). Call (909)941-PUCK (7825) to get your tickets to the Reign home opener!
-www.ontarioreign.com-
