It’s been said that a 3-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey. Well, it may hold true in the ECHL as well.
Up 4-1 with just a few minutes left to play in regulation, the San Francisco Bulls had an epic defensive meltdown and came out on the losing end in Ontario on Wednesday.
The Reign were looking to bounce back from a disappointing showing in their home opener (where they were shutout by Stockton) a few nights earlier and things looked good right out of the gates. Just 13 seconds into the game CJ Stretch scored the team’s first goal of the season in front of their home crowd.
Then, the expansion Bulls took over. Midway through the first period they tied the final minutes of the third they held a commanding three goal lead. But, Dan DaSilva made it 4-2, followed by Derek Couture tipping in a shot at 18:11 and just 39 seconds later, Vincent LoVerde evened the game up with less than a minute remaining.
Neither side scored in a furious and exciting overtime, pushing things to a shootout. Goals from DaSilva, Colton Yellow Horn and Chris Huxley capped up the highly unlikely come-from-behind win and sent the Reign out on the road in good spirits. They’ll begin a stretch in Gwinnett, Georgia tonight that sees them finish out the rest of the month away from home.
The Three Stars were Yellow Horn (1), Couture (2) and Dylan King of San Francisco (3). If that latter rings a bell, it’s not because he’s related to Dwight King – because he isn’t. However, the scrappy defenseman was in Kings’ Rookie Camp two years ago on a tryout. He was never offered a deal.
Now, enjoy some exclusive photos shot for MayorsManor by David Sheehan…
CLICK THE IMAGES TO SCROLL THROUGH THE GALLERY
PICTURED: Chris Carrozzi, Couture, Mara, Stretch, Yellow Horn and others.
Exclusive photos from the home opener can be seen here.
Also, for the third straight year, Ontario Reign President Justin Kemp stopped by the MayorsManor radio show last week to give us a ‘State of the Franchise’ report. He talked about the performance of the team’s coaches, his ongoing relationship with the Kings’ front office, the possibility of more NHL players skating in the ECHL during the lockout and much more. Give it a listen here.
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