The Ontario Reign took down the first-place Abbotsford Canucks Sunday afternoon to improve their winning streak to five games.
The Ontario Reign took down the first-place Abbotsford Canucks Sunday afternoon to improve their winning streak to five games.
Erik Portillo got the start in net, looking to help give the team their first victory at home this season.
Things started sloppily in Ontario, as there were a combined five penalties in the first eleven minutes of the game. To make matters worse, neither team scored on these chances.
Within the last minute of the first period, Cole Krygier rushed the puck to the net down the left side, deking to his backhand and scoring the first goal for the Reign.
In the second period, Francesco Pinelli scored his first professional goal, redirecting a Steven Santini shot. This goal made the game 2-0 Ontario.
Abbotsford answered right back with a goal of their own, as a Sheldon Dries wraparound cut the Reign lead to one.
There was a lot of action in the third period, starting with Canucks player Max Sasson running into Portillo on a slap shot. On the power play, Charles Hudon found the net with a one-timer that made it 3-1 Reign.
Less than two minutes later, the Canucks got the goal right back, credited to a Jett Woo blast from the right point that brought the game within one again.
With 11:32 to go in the third, Pavlychev got Jacob Doty the puck from point-blank range to give the Reign a 4-2 lead.
Abbotsford would not go down easily, scoring a somewhat controversial goal from Sheldon Dries, his second of the afternoon, to once again make the game a one-score affair.
Then, with 1:53 left to go, Chromiak found the puck right in front of an empty net to send everyone home happy with a 5-3 Reign win.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
Erik Portillo Was Good Again
Portillo’s big frame makes it hard for the opposing players to score. He was good his first time out against the Bakersfield Condors and was good again Sunday. This is what Marco Sturm had to say about his performance.
“He was good again. Made some good saves. He’s still a kid too, so he’s not different from any young players who would have to learn the game. You gotta love his work ethic. He competes, and that’s what we want. But again, a good effort from him.”
Fourth Line Is Impactful
One of the many great things about this Reign squad is their depth. All four lines can make a big impact on a game at any moment when they are out on the ice. The fourth line in particular played really well Sunday. Pavlychek, in his first game this season, had a really nice forecheck that set Doty up for his goal. Not to mention, it is Doty’s second straight game with a goal. “The Big Boys line”, as Sturm calls it, uses their size effectively to keep the puck in the offensive zone, and to also play aggressively on the backcheck when they need to.
Hudon Continues To Lead The Way
There’s no question what Charles Hudon is capable of when he is healthy and on the right track. So far this season, he has proved to be an absolute stud for this team. Hudon is currently tied for the most points and goals for the Reign, with no signs of slowing down. Ontario signed Hudon earlier in the summer, and it has worked out great for them so far.