The Ontario Reign squared off against the Tucson Roadrunners Tuesday night, seeking to win their fifth straight game.
It was David Rittich starting between the pipes for Ontario. Last time he started, he turned away all 32 shots that came his way.
The first half of the opening period was very fast-paced. There was only one stoppage through the first eleven minutes of the game, and that stoppage was in the first nine seconds.
Off a Samuel Fagemo turnover, Austin Poganski found the puck and took off straight toward the net, shooting one over the far shoulder of Rittich for a short-handed goal.
Right after the Reign power play ended, Jan Jenik forced a turnover on Mikhail Maltsev. Almost identical to Poganski’s goal, Jenik went straight to the net and found the back of the net to give Tucson an early 2-0 lead
Then, with 2:23 left to play in the first, Rittich left too much space while hugging the post, as Cameron Hebig snuck the puck right past him to make it 3-0 Roadrunners.
At the start of the second period, head coach Marco Sturm pulled Rittich and threw Erik Portillo out in net.
T.J. Tynan got the scoring started for Ontario, redirecting a Jacob Moverare shot, cutting the lead down to two.
Less than five minutes later, the Reign capitalized on a power play opportunity. Some beautiful puck movement by Tynan and Charles Hudon ended with Akil Thomas finishing the play from point blank range to move within one.
Both goalies shut things down in the third period, as the Ontario Reign were unable to mount a comeback.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Erik Portillo With A Great Performance:
It is never easy on a goalie to come in off the bench and perform the way Portillo did.
Coming in for a struggling Rittich at the start of the second period, Portillo went fifteen for fifteen on saves in periods two and three.
Ontario Reign head coach Marco Sturm had this to say about Portillo, “He was really good. He made saves right away and was very sharp, so I was really pleased with his overall effort.”
T.J. Tynan Stays Hot:
Tynan has been putting on a clinic this season for the Reign. Not only scoring a goal in this game, but also being credited with an assist.
The Captain leads the Ontario squad in points scored with 21. Not to mention that he also leads not just the team, but the entire AHL in assists with 18.
Even in the 3-2 loss Tuesday night, Tynan still was awarded second star of the game. He has been a key contributor as to why the Reign are in second place of the Pacific division,
Special Teams Continues Its Strong Performance:
A big part of the Reign’s success this season has been due to their special teams. Recently, when they have been on the power play, they are a huge threat.
Samuel Fagemo has been a key reason for this. His play has been crucial for the Reign since rejoining the organization.
Not only has the power play unit been successful, but the penalty kill unit has been better.
In the penalty kill category, the Reign currently rank 8th in all the AHL. We saw this success today, killing the two power play chances Tucson had.
The Reign will welcome the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Friday night, looking for a nice bounce back win in front of the home crowd.