TWTW: Reign Start Season on Hot Streak

Oct 19, 2015

The Week That Was…

The Ontario Reign completed their season-opening three-game road trip last week with a pair of contests against the Manitoba Moose at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for a week record of 2-0-0-0 and an overall standing of 3-0-0-0.

On Thursday, forward Michael Mersch scored twice and forward Justin Auger and defenseman Jamie McBain added goals to defeat the Moose 4-1 in their home opener. Goaltender Peter Budaj earned his second win of the season making 16 saves.

Forward Valentin Zykov sent the Reign on a three-game winning streak with the game-winning goal in overtime Saturday night, taking down the Moose 1-0. Budaj registered the win and his second shutout of the season stopping all 20 shots faced.

The Numbers:

• Record: 3-0-0-0 (2nd Pacific Division, Tied-2nd Western Conference)
• Home: 0-0-0-0
• Away: 3-0-0-0
• Last 10 Games: 3-0-0-0
• Streak: 3-0-0-0
• Goals: Kris Newbury, Michael Mersch (2) 
• Assists: Sean Backman (3)
• Points: Kris Newbury (4)
• Penalty Minutes: Ryan Horvat (12)
• Power-Play Goals: Kris Newbury, Valentin Zykov (1)
• Power-Play Assists: Sean Backman (2)
• Power-Play Points: Sean Backman, Kris Newbury (2)
• Shorthanded Goals: N/A
• Shorthanded Assists: N/A
• Shorthanded Points: N/A
• Game-Winning Goals: Vincent LoVerde, Justin Auger, Valentin Zykov (1)
• Wins: Peter Budaj (3)                          
• GAA: Peter Budaj (0.32)                    
• SPCT: Peter Budaj (.983)

League Leaders:

• Forward Ryan Horvat is tied for the AHL lead with two major penalties.
• Forward Michael Mersch leads the AHL with 20 shots.
• Goaltender Peter Budaj is third in the league with a 0.32 goals-against average and .983 save percentage. Budaj is on top of the AHL with two shutouts.