Trailing the Stockon Heat by three points in the Pacific Division entering this weekend, the Ontario Reign did exactly what they needed to do on night one of a two-game series on Friday – they came away with the victory.
Earning two points on the road wasn’t the impressive part. Beating Stockton in their home barn has been all but unheard of this season, as the Heat came into the game with a blistering record of 14-2-3 on home ice, leading the entire AHL.
And they scored first.
They didn’t stop the Reign, though. Ontario rallied back with four unanswered goals and produced a statement win, setting up a winner-take-all game on Saturday for first place.
🚨 Madden
Tied 1-1
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) February 12, 2022
Tyler Madden scores his 12th goal of the season to tie the game 1-1! #Reign
Assisted by Spence (27) pic.twitter.com/tjfUjMDmWx
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) February 12, 2022
Helge Grans gives the #Reign a 2-1 lead with his 5th goal of the season!
Assisted by: Madden(12) pic.twitter.com/8qMkFVrPLb
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) February 12, 2022
Turcotte has officially extended his point streak to 6 games with an assist on Strand's goal
— Jeff Anderson (@MEKingsFan) February 12, 2022
Strand makes it 3-1 #Reign! Assisted by Turcotte(11) pic.twitter.com/DQYHE5c13P
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) February 12, 2022
He's now scored in 4 straight https://t.co/sn1Lt7VLOR
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) February 12, 2022
Anderson-Dolan makes it 4-1 #Reign with his 17th goal of the season!
ASST: Frk(21), Tynan(41) pic.twitter.com/i5vSc9wWU6
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) February 12, 2022
Not cool https://t.co/51Iz8G3Yv1
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) February 12, 2022
Friday was the first time this season the Heat have not earned at least a point when scoring the game’s first goal. Ontario put an end to that stat. Now, they’ll be looking to end other streak. Stockton is a perfect 11-0-0 following a game they’ve lost.
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. STOCKTON HEAT on 2/12
Anderson-Dolan – Tynan – Frk
Madden – Kupari – Thomas
Vilardi – Turcotte – Fagemo
Wagner – Sutter – Doty
Other options include: Burke, Dudas, Johnson, Sodergran, Tkachev
Gaunce – Spence
Moverare – Grans
Wolanin – Strand
Other options include: Kasastul, Nielsen
Villalta (starter)
Ingham
Puck drop is scheduled for 6pm tonight and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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Lead photo via the Stockton Heat
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