Wednesday night was the most entertaining of any Kings or Reign game played in 2021. In net, Matthew Villalta stood on his head for an amazing performance, perhaps only topped by Lukas Dostal at the other end of the ice for San Diego. Offensively, the Reign dominated most of the first 40 minutes, outshooting their opponents 41-27 in total.
However, Ontario couldn’t convert on two different 5-on-3 powerplays in the third period and that left the game tied 1-1 with just a few seconds remaining. Like the Kings a few times this season, time wasn’t on their side.
With less than 10 seconds remaining in the game, Villalta made an aggressive move to bat a puck out of the way, the puck ended up near Gulls defenseman Keegan Lowe and before Villalta had time to reset, the shot whizzed by him with 4.7 remaining on the clock.
Gulls GWG pic.twitter.com/YhdedkUIPc
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) February 11, 2021
Still, there were many positives to take from the game. It was the most complete game played by the Reign thus far and several of the players who looked good vs. the Silver Knights last weekend continued to shine – namely Daniel Brickley and Alex Turcotte. Short of a bad turnover in the third period, Sean Durzi also showed well and remains a threat when the puck is on his stick.
Here are a few postgame comments from coach John Wroblewski…
On Daniel Brickley’s play over the first three games
Brickley has had some really positive touches in the offensive zone. I really like his poise and the fact that the puck is finding him in opportune positions.
On Tyler Madden
Madden is as much of a gamer as I’ve coached. Hockey IQ and stick are off the charts.
On the game Villalta played
Matty V is a helluva goalie and helluva kid. He played great and I can’t wait to watch him play again.
On the line changes he made coming into the game and if they performance in the game
Line combos were great in the first and I thought each unit carried the play. After the penalties started, I felt we lost our flow. We still dominated the scoring chances, but we also surrendered too many due to some inexperience and inconsistencies.
Additional highlights and game moments:
Brett Sutter scores shorthanded! #Reign lead 1-0 pic.twitter.com/GDNVnELcWS
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) February 11, 2021
Imama vs Kanzig#Reign pic.twitter.com/bsSyG52bC1
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) February 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/ontarioreign/status/1359728196929785858
Thomas slow to get up after a hit by Mahura. Mahura goes to the box for Interference #Reign pic.twitter.com/UHvZWgx52M
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) February 11, 2021
Villalta with a big glove save on Lorito#Reign pic.twitter.com/xdGZXVQZuU
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) February 11, 2021
With their three game road trip now completed, the Reign will play their first home game of 2021 when they take on the Tucson Roadrunners this Friday at 6pm – a team featuring Jan Jenik, Kaliyev’s former junior hockey linemate. It will be the first of a two-game set, with a rematch scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 1pm. Three more home games will follow next week, including a pair vs. the Colorado Eagles.
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Lead photo courtesy of San Diego Gulls
