
Fan Appreciation Night Friday; Reign Prepare for Postseason
Apr 4, 2016The Week That Was…
The Ontario Reign opened a four-game road trip last week with stops against the San Jose Barracuda, Stockton Heat and Bakersfield Condors for a week record of 1-2-0-0 and improved their Pacific Division-leading record to 40-18-4-1.
The road trip kicked off in San Jose on Wednesday with the final regular-season meeting against the Barracuda. Kris Newbury a goal in the second period, but the Barracuda prevailed 3-1. The Reign completed the head-to-head series with a 9-3-0-0 record.
On Friday, Michael Mersch scored his team-leading 22nd goal of the season and Justin Auger added a shorthanded tally in the third period in a 3-2 setback to the Heat.
The following night, the Reign bounced back and snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the Condors. Goaltender Peter Budaj earned his AHL-leading ninth shutout, making 35 saves in the win.
The Numbers
- Record: 40-18-4-1, .675 winning percentage (1st Place, Pacific Division)
- Home: 21-8-3-1
- Away: 19-10-1-0
- Last 10 Games: 6-4-0-0
- Streak: 1-0-0-0
- Goals: Michael Mersch (22)
- Assists: Nic Dowd* (34)
- Points: Sean Backman (54)
- Penalty Minutes: Kurtis MacDermid (111)
- Power-Play Goals: Sean Backman (8)
- Power-Play Assists: Nic Dowd* (11)
- Power-Play Points: Sean Backman (18)
- Shorthanded Goals: Andrew Crescenzi, Justin Auger (2)
- Shorthanded Assists: Five players with one assist
- Shorthanded Points: Andrew Crescenzi (3)
- Game-Winning Goals: Sean Backman (8)
- Wins: Peter Budaj (38)
- GAA: Peter Budaj (1.76)
- SPCT: Peter Budaj (.929)
*Dowd is currently with the Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
League Leaders:
- Forward Sean Backman tied for 13th in the AHL with 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists) and is first in the league with 232 shots and eight game-winning goals. Forward Michael Mersch is third in the AHL with 198 shots.
- Goaltender Peter Budaj leads the league with a 1.76 goals-against average (GAA), nine shutouts, 38 wins and 3336 minutes played and is third with a .929 save percentage and 1292 saves.
- Defenseman Kurtis MacDermid is fifth among rookies with 111 penalty minutes and tied for second with 28 minor penalties.
This Week:
Ontario Reign at Stockton Heat
Wednesday, Apr. 6
7:00 p.m. PT
Stockton Arena in Stockton, California
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 12th of 12 meetings, 6-4-1-0 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign vs. Bakersfield Condors
Friday, Apr. 8
7:00 p.m. PT
Citizens Business Bank Arena
$2 20oz. Bud Lights and Montejo
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 11th of 12 meetings, 6-4-0-0 head-to-head record
Ontario Reign at Bakersfield Condors
Saturday, Apr. 9
7:00 p.m. PT
Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com, AHL Live
Preview: 12th of 12 meetings