November 26, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Slusarski, Ontario Reign PR Intern
Phone: (909) 941-7825
Email: pr@ontarioreign.com
Reign Hold On for 4-2 Win in Bakersfield
Kyle Kraemer Nets Game Winner in Return to Lineup
Bakersfield, Calif. – The Ontario Reign (8-6-1-0), proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, held on for a 4-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors (5-12-2-0) before 8,776 at Rabobank Arena on Saturday. The Reign led 3-0 mid-way through the third and withstood a late Condors rally for the win. Four different Ontario players had goals.
Bill Bagron got the Reign on the board late in the first period. Bagron skated around the net uncontested and fired a backhander past Bryan Pitton at 16:51. Chris Cloud and Tristan King had assists on the play. Ontario carried the one-goal lead into the first intermission thanks to several stellar saves by Darcy Kuemper. Bakersfield’s best chance came as a puck thrown at the Reign goal deflected into the air and seemed destined for the net, but the big glove of Kuemper flashed across the goal mouth to knock the puck away.
Derek Couture’s team-leading fifth power-play goal extended Ontario’s lead to 2-0 at 10:40 of the second. C.J. Stretch won the face-off back to Chris Huxley and he passed it to Couture along the left boards. Couture moved to the top of the circle and blistered a shot through traffic.
Kyle Kraemer, playing in his first game of the season after coming off of the disabled list, scored at 3:24 of the third to put the Reign up 3-0. Vincent LoVerde’s long clearing pass caught Bakersfield on a line change, allowing three Reign skaters to advance on a lone Condors defender. Matt Tassone chipped the puck over to Kraemer and he wristed it over Pitton’s right shoulder.
Scott Freeman scored Bakersfield’s first goal at 12:13 which sent teddy bears flying from all areas of the stands, as tonight was the Condors’ annual Teddy Bear Toss. The Bakersfield momentum continued after the clean-up delay, as Justin Pender narrowed the Reign lead to 3-2 with a slap shot at 14:16. But J.D. Watt snapped a loose puck into the Bakersfield net with less than three minutes left in regulation and the Reign went on to defeat the Condors 4-2.
Kuemper (6-1-0) stopped 38 of 40 shots for the win, while Pitton (2-7-1) took the loss with 28 saves on 32 shots.
To view the box score, click here.
Three stars:
1) ONT – Darcy Kuemper
2) BAK – Scott Freeman
3) BAK – Justin Pender
Reign Drops:
The Reign return to Ontario Sunday, November 27 to complete the home-and-home series against the Condors at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Sunday's game starts at 5 p.m. Bring a toy to donate to the Steven's Hope for Children ($10 value). Also, after Sunday's game there will be a Boston’s Post-Game Player Party. Come meet up with the players and get your favorite player's autograph and enjoy some great food from Boston's Gourmet Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar located on the corner of Milliken and 4th St. (11260 4th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730). Show your ticket stub and receive 15% off your food order.
The Stockton Thunder come to Ontario on Wednesday, November 30th. That night's game is a $5 Ticket Oporto Fresh-Grilled Chicken Wednesday. Go to any Oporto Fresh-Grilled Chicken Burgers location (Ontario & Rancho Cucamonga) and pick up your ticket $5 vouchers (Limit 4 vouchers per person).
For tickets please call us at (909) 941-PUCK (7825) or visit us online at www.OntarioReign.com.
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