The Reign dropped their third straight game Wednesday night and fell back to an even .500 Record
The Reign dropped their third straight game Wednesday night and fell back to an even .500 Record.
David Rittich was the starting goalie, seeking to bounce back from a bad Colorado road trip.
In the first period, the Reign got off to a very slow start. Being in the defensive zone for the majority of the first half of the period.
With 7:55 left to play, Nathan Smith found Max Szuber the puck on a 2 on 1 opportunity. A quick release by Szuber put the Roadrunners up 1-0.
A few minutes later, Martin Chromiak salvaged the first period with a goal of his own, firing a wrist shot through traffic that knotted the game at one.
In the second, we saw much of the same from the Reign. Really nothing that put the Roadrunners on their heels
About halfway through the second, Tucson scored a deflection goal, credited to Aku Raty, off a Victor Soderstrom blast from the left point.
At the start of the third, we saw some significant line changes made by the Reign. Looking to potentially get something going in this game.
Less than a minute into the third, Justin Kirkland scored by simply throwing the puck on the net.
Nathan Smith provided a screen, causing the puck to squeeze by Rittich's short side, making it 3-1.
Tyler Madden answered back immediately, chipping one over Matthew Villalta’s shoulder, to make it 3-2 Tucson.
A couple crucial Roadrunner penalties gave the Reign a 5 on 3 penalty.
Brandt Clarke capitalized on this chance, blasting a shot from the right circle, and tying the game at three apiece.
The game would go into overtime, where Vladislav Kolyachonok beat Rittich short side, and win it for Tucson.
Here are three takeaways from the loss:
Reign Had An Awful Start
There was really nothing good about the start to this game for the Reign. No good forechecks, always on their heels, and slow line changes.
Marco Sturm described the first period as “The worst 20 minutes I have seen since I been with the Reign.”
Tough Night For David Rittich
Although having a few moments in the game where you would applaud Rittich for his efforts, he would love to have some of those goals back.
The last two goals on Rittich, both players would just throw the puck on the net, getting by his short side both times.
It has been tough for the goalies, Rittich and Portillo, recently. Allowing a combined 14 goals in the past 3 games.
Tyler Madden Is Playing With Confidence
You could say Tyler Madden was the Reign’s best player in their loss Wednesday night. Madden had some pretty good shifts, being rewarded with a goal in the process.
One of the highlights from the night was his near goal about 11:38 left to play in the third.
Madden toe dragged a defender, then while coming across the net, went between his legs, and missed just wide of the net.
The Reign will look to again bounce back against the Roadrunners Friday night.