Don’t look now, but the Ontario Reign are rolling. Coming off their first set of back-to-back wins over the weekend at home, coach John Wroblewski packed up his squad and headed to Arizona for another pair of games this week. Tuesday night brought another victory and now they’ll look to run their streak to four straight on Wednesday.
Until now, each of the wins has perfectly built a narrative of momentum. In the first game, Ontario had to face adversity, trailing twice and tied after 40 minutes, before eventually closing it out. For their second act, the Reign played a more even game, one that Wroblewski called their best 60-minute effort of the season – up until that point. On Tuesday in Tucson, they looked like a team playing with a tremendous amount of confidence. Although outshot 36-24 by the Roadrunners, it was the Reign who were in full control from the start. A final score of 5-1 was more indicative of just how truly dominate Ontario was en route to their third victory in a row.
Kaliyev gets the Reign on the board in the 1st period with his 4th goal of the season
Assisted by Sutter(5)#Reign pic.twitter.com/DPz7OFVook
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) March 17, 2021
Kupari(3) makes it 2-0 with 24 seconds left in the 1st period!
Assisted by Kaliyev(6), and Turcotte (3)#Reign pic.twitter.com/wQQHbHgy4I
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) March 17, 2021
Boko Imama makes it 3-0!
Assisted by Gaunce(7) #Reign pic.twitter.com/XOW7QQ5FrU
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) March 17, 2021
Byfield makes it 4-0 a minute into the 3rd period!#Reign pic.twitter.com/vH2ndw2B7V
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) March 17, 2021
Mikey Eyssimont makes it 5-1!
Assisted by Thomas(3), and Durzi (5)#Reign pic.twitter.com/FsjjmXVRSU
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) March 17, 2021
Following the team’s third straight win, we asked Wroblewski if there was anything in particular he could identify as the turning point leading to his group’s recent success.
“It sounds simple and easy, but we’ve found a way to capture the key moments in our recent games,” he explained. “In reality, it’s been anything but simple and easy. JF has given us all kinds of earned confidence with his play which has to be acknowledged.
Berube started the past four games, facing 33, 30, 23, and 36 shots on goal. He also decreased his goals allowed in each of game during the winning streak – starting out with three goals, then two, and finally down to a single one getting by him last night.
“We’ve had numerous teaching sessions and many tough conversations to get our messages through,” Wroblewski continued. “Our reality is that we don’t have a lot of self-sustaining players, particularly up front. These guys have had a crash course on pro hockey and there hasn’t been a lot of opportunity to come up for air.”
Earlier this week, the Reign were able to add Devante Smith-Pelly, a veteran right wing with a Stanley Cup ring from his days with the Washington Capitals. Regarding initial impressions from DSP’s debut on Tuesday, Wroblewski noted, “Devante was solid. He made a couple complex d-zone reads look very easy. He also put himself in some great spots, headlined by a slot play that just missed in the third period. He’ll time the game better every time out.”
After sharing a few thoughts about his team’s goaltending and forward group, Coach Wrobo also made sure to share a little intel regarding his defensive group – which has been its own work-in-progress for much of the season.
“Sean Durzi has been very solid lately,” he noted, when we specifically asked about the second-year pro. “Towards the beginning of the year, he was just caught in between a lot. A little indecisive. He and Gaunce have been very stable defensively and quite effective offensively.”
For tonight’s rematch with the Roadrunners, the Reign look to make two changes to their lineup. As noted recently, Jacob Moverare will draw back in on defense. Cole Hults will sit to make room for him. And Berube will give way in net to Jacob Ingham — one of the Kings top goaltending prospects — who was recently recalled from the ECHL.
Ontario Reign Projected Lineup for Wed. 3/17 at Tucson
Alex Turcotte – Rasmus Kupari – Arthur Kaliyev
Mikey Eyssimont – Quinton Byfield – Devante Smith-Pelly
Aidan Dudas – Akil Thomas – Sammy Fagemo
Boko Imama – Brett Sutter – Nick Halloran
Jacob Moverare – Austin Strand
Kale Clague – Mark Alt
Cameron Gaunce – Sean Durzi
Jacob Ingham (starter)
JF Berube
Tuesday’s puck drop is scheduled for 6:30pm PST and can be streamed through AHL TV.
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