Three goals in the opening six minutes of play helped power the Ontario Reign to a 5-2 victory in their opening round playoff series on Tuesday night. A pair of Kings’ prospects played key roles in the win as well, with JF Berube tending goal and defenseman Nick Ebert scoring the third goal – which ended up chasing Utah’s starting netminder from the contest. When things were over, here’s what they shared with MayorsManor, along with some bonus comments from coach Jason Christie…
– Berube on the overall game: “It’s good to get the first win out of the way. Now we can concentrate on tomorrow. We came out strong. We were dominant. We were all over them. That’s the game we need to play, and we just have to battle for 60 minutes like we did tonight, and we’re going to have good results with that.”
– Berube on if he saw Ebert’s shot: “Yeah, it was a really good shot. He’s pretty impressive to be honest with you. He’s really mature for his age. He’s making good decisions with the puck. It’s funny to say, but he’s huge on the power play for us. He’s making good plays, and he’s a dangerous player out there. So it’s good to have him.”
– Berube on his energy level throughout the game: “I don’t think my game is where I want it to be right now. Like the first goal, I’m sure I could have stopped it. It would have been a big save. It was a nice goal, but could have been a big save too. I just have to battle like I did. I was seeing the puck well, and that’s the most important thing to me.”
– Berube on how the defense played in front of him: “I think they made some good plays. They were strong. Pucks were getting in and they were getting out right away. They were communicating well behind the net when I was coming out. So no mistakes tonight. Like I said, the guys played really good in front of me keeping guys outside. Blocking shots, I remember Adrian (Van de Mosselaer) made two good blocked shots on the penalty kill. So we need that in playoffs. We need guys sacrificing their body.”
– Ebert on his first goal: “It was nice. We jumped out to a pretty early lead, and I saw an opportunity to jump in, and Greens made a nice pass to me, and I was fortunate enough to bury it in the back of the net.”
– Ebert on the quick lead helping to build confidence: “Yeah, I think that it was pretty nice to jump out to the early lead. I think probably just have to finish out stronger than that. We fell asleep in the second period a little bit, but it’s something we’re going to have to work on throughout the playoffs. We just gotta take it one game, one period at a time for sure.”
– Ebert on how he feels, physically, given his extended season: “I’m feeling alright. It’s pretty early in the playoffs so everyone’s pretty healthy so far. So hopefully we can continue to do that, and continue to stay focused and healthy throughout the playoffs for sure.”
– Ebert on if he thought tonight was more physical than his first few games: “I think it was about the same. The intensity was a little bit more obviously, because it is the playoffs, and guys are battling for the season out here. We expect it to be a hard, long, series for sure.”
– Ebert on what was said to him on the bench after his goal: “They just told me to keep jumping up in the play. Keep firing shots on net, and hopefully I can continue to produce.”
– Ebert on if he’s ready to grow a playoff beard: “Yup, I’m ready. I shaved yesterday. Hopefully I can grow it out as long as we go.”
– Ebert on if he’s worried about it coming in patchy: “I expect it to be a little bit patchy, but Just For Men nowadays covers that up.”
– Coach Christie on the overall game: “I really liked how they kind of responded here dropping the puck. We needed it. A lot of anxious guys. Utah put us on our heels, I thought a little bit in the second period there. We were able to come out in the third, and just make sure we kept them from runnin’ and gunnin’.”
– Christie on Ebert getting better with each game: “He moves the puck well, but his shot; he got all of that one, you know? Good shot on him, good head on him. So he’s fitting in well, no question, and that’s obviously something we need.”
– Christie on if Ebert grew tired as the game went on: “I think with the PK’s they had there, he was able to rest a little bit. But again, he’s 19 years old, I’m sure he’s got a lot of energy left.”
– Christie on if he got what he wanted from Berube: “Oh for sure. I thought they had a couple good looks there. You know Berubs would have been able to make that save. We just gotta make sure we keep it going, and let Berubs see the puck.”
Game 2 of the series will be in Ontario again tonight. Tickets are still available.
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Great article. Well written, and very informative. Thanx. Go Reign!!!
Nick Ebert was one heck of a steal last draft.