ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings, defeated the Alaska Aces in a shootout, 4-3, in front of 5,607 fans at Sullivan Arena.  The Reign took the two points and two of the three games in the series.

The game started off with a bang when Ontario defenseman David Walker and Alaska right wing Justin Johnson dropped the gloves one second into the match.

Alaska claimed the first goal of the game at 11:54 in the first period when right wing Anthony Peluso picked up the puck in the neutral zone and passed it to forward Brock McBride who shot the puck over Ontario goaltender Curtis Darling’s glove.

Ontario right wing Jon Rheault tied the game at 1-1 when he scored an unassisted goal at 13:03 in the opening period.  Rheault took the puck from an Aces players and as he headed toward the net, he shot the puck and beat Alaska goaltender Scott Reid's five hole.

Late in the first period, the Aces took a 2-1 lead when they dumped the puck into their attack zone and it hit hard off the glass toward the Ontario net.  The dump in caught Curtis Darling off guard and Peluso was able to beat Darling.  Left wing Scott Burt and forward Nick Tuzzolino picked up the assists on the play.

Alaska defenseman Tyson Marsh gave the Aces a two goal cushion when he scored a power play goal at 3:15 in the second period.  There was a scamble in front of Darling’s net and Marsh picked up a rebound and shot the puck into the back on the net.  Forward Nick Mazzolini picked up an assist and Brock McBride picked up an assist as well and his second point of the night.

Ontario answered back to the Aces when Rheault scored a power play goal and his second goal of the night at 4:48 in the second period.  Defensemen Mike Egener and Andrew Martens assisted on the play and brought the Reign within one goal.

The Reign answered again after only 45 seconds had passed.   Rheault scored another power play goal and registered a hat trick when he redirected a shot and found the back of the net.  The redirected shot came from center Tim Kraus who picked up a big rebound from Mike Egener’s slap shot on Scott Reid.  Egener picked up his second assist of the night and Kraus picked up his first of the night and tied the game at 3-3.

With no goals in the third period or the five minute OT session, the game went to a deciding shootout.  Ontario took out Curtis Darling and put Mike Zacharias in to take the shots.  Zacharias stopped four of the five shots he faced while forward Michael Pelech and defenseman Chad Starling scored for Ontario to give them the win with a final score of Reign 4, Aces 3 (SO).

Shootout results:
1.  ONT – Chris Curran: NO GOAL
2.  AK – Judd Blackwater: NO GOAL
3.  ONT - Jon Rheault: NO GOAL
4.  AK – Eric Boguniecki: NO GOAL
5.  ONT – Michael Pelech: GOAL
6.  AK – Nick Mazzolini: GOAL
7.  ONT – Sean O’Connor: NO GOAL
8.  AK – Brock McBride: NO GOAL
9.  ONT - Chad Starling: GOAL
10. AK – Nick Tuzzolino: NO GOAL

To view the box score, click here.

To view current Pacific Division and league standings, click here.

Three stars:
1.  ONT – Jon Rheault
2.  ONT – Chad Starling
3.  AK – Anthony Peluso

REIGN DROPS
On Friday, March 19th, the Reign will be facing-off against the Idaho Steelheads at 7:30 p.m. for the first match in a three-game, back-to-back home series.  It’s also Farmer John 2-for-1 hot dog night and free oil change Friday sponsored by Certified Transmission & Car Care.

Saturday, March 20th (7:00 p.m) is Military Appreciation Night, sponsored by the University of La Verne. The Reign players will be wearing specialty military jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game, with proceeds benefitting the University of La Verne scholarship program.  All military personnel can purchase specially-priced tickets (with valid military identification) by calling the Reign front office at (909) 941-PUCK (7825). 

Sunday, March 21st (5:00 p.m.) is 4 for $44 Family Night (4 hot dogs, 4 sodas and 4 upper end tickets).  This is offer is only available at the arena box office, while supplies last.  Also, there will be a post-game skate with our players for all our Kid's Club Members, if you are not a member yet just give us a call as it is not too late to join.  Post-game skate RSVP deadline is 12:00 noon on March 19.

-www.ontarioreign.com-