The Ontario Reign took down the Bakersfield Condors in a tight contest and have now won five straight games.
With the biggest crowd of the year on hand at Toyota Arena, the fans definitely got their money’s worth in this one.
Both teams came out ultra-aggressive. You can tell this game meant more than just any regular season game.
Early in the first, Francesco Pinelli put the Reign up, depositing a rebound off a Charles Hudon shot. Tyler Madden created the opportunity with a great takeaway in the offensive zone.
Pinelli, starting on the second line this game due to Akil Thomas getting the emergency call-up for the injured Phillip Danault, looked comfortable in his first start with the line.
After the Reign failed to capitalize on a shorthanded chance, Bakersfield immediately scored on the rush, tying the game at one apiece.
It got very chippy in the middle frame, as the game of hockey itself almost became an afterthought. It seemed like after every stoppage of play, both teams would get into it on the ice.
Only 3:37 into the second, Hayden Hodgson and Phillip Kemp went fisticuffs after a big hit.
Then, after a borderline dirty hit by Cameron Wright, Taylor Ward skated right towards Wright, dropping the gloves and going at it. This would result in a game misconduct for Ward.
Late in the period, Adam Erne would light the lamp to give the Condors the lead, immediately erased by Andre Lee about two minutes later.
Lee was playing in his first game since being out for two months due to injury. He played a big role before his injury stint, and his presence is already impactful in his first game back.
It was a wild period to say the least, as there were 42 penalty minutes between the two teams, capped off with a goal for both squads.
Much like how the first period started, the Reign came out hot in the third, which resulted in an early goal, this time by Nikita Pavlychev.
Pavlychev has been hot against the Condors as of late. In the last showdown between these two teams, Pavlychev had a goal and an assist.
Bakersfield would tie the score, as Seth Griffith knocked in the puck off a big rebound allowed by Erik Portillo. It would be the Condor's 4th power-play goal in the last couple of games against Ontario.
The Reign would capitalize on a power play of their own, a great pass by Martin Chromiak was tipped in by TJ Tynan giving the Reign a lead with 8:56 left to play.
This power play goal would end up being the game-winner, as the Reign would hold on to the win 4-3.
Here are my three takeaways from the game:
Marquee Playoff Matchup
My first thought when I got in my car after the game was “Imagine if these two teams match up in the playoffs.”
It is very much a possibility, as the Reign currently sit tied with the Tucson Roadrunners in second place. The Condors as of today sit in 6th.
These two teams do not like each other at all, and a three-game series between the two would be some of the most energetic hockey in the AHL.
If the Reign were to fall to third and the Condors stay at six, we would see these two square off at Toyota Arena in late April.
Andre Lee Is Back
It was good to see Lee back on the ice playing hockey again. After a brutal injury that would take him out for two months, he comes back and records two points in the win.
He played an important role on the “big boy 4th line” earlier at the start of the season. As aforementioned, his presence was impactful today.
Lee had this to say about his return, “It felt good. It was an awesome feeling being back with the guys and helping the team out. I missed it a lot.”
On A Heater
The Reign have won 5 in a row and are currently on a 12-game point streak, talk about getting hot at the right time.
In late January, the Reign sat in 6th place, battling to just stay alive in the playoff push. Now, after a couple of heaters, that included an 8-game winning streak in late February into early March, the Reign are now sitting pretty for home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
What’s next for the Reign? It only gets easier, as four of the next five games are against teams not making the playoffs.
Things are going well for the Reign, as they hope to continue the good vibes in Henderson when they face the Silver Knights on Wednesday night.