Two clubs heading in two different directions; that’s the current state of Los Angeles and Ontario hockey. About an hour before the Kings wrapped up their fourth straight win at home on Saturday night, the Reign dropped their third straight contest. With a 3-1 defeat in Bakersfield, coach Marco Sturm also saw his club lose their exclusive hold on first place in the Pacific Division. Both the Reign and Condors are now tied with 15 points in 11 games.
Perhaps more frustrating for Sturm, Ontario failed to convert on any of their four power play opportunities. Conversely, the penalty kill was excellent, shutting the door three times.
In our pregame outlook yesterday, we pointed out the hot hand Quinton Byfield was holding against Bakersfield.
Quinton Byfield only suited up for 11 games with the Reign last season, prior to being recalled to the NHL. One of the games was against Bakersfield, and the 6-foot-5 center potted a goal that night. The season prior, when Byfield was a regular member of the Reign, he skated in seven games vs. Bakersfield and recorded four goals. In fact, he has scored in five of the last six games played vs. the Condors.
True to form, the 20 year-old center cashed in vs. the Condors. He was confident with the puck all night and displayed sound defensive awareness, plus drew a penalty.
Played in his second game since returning from injury, Alex Turcotte looked much more comfortable during his shifts and picked up the primary assist on Byfield’s goal.
Quinton Byfield scores his 1st goal with the #Reign this season. Assisted by Quine(7) & Turcotte(1) pic.twitter.com/fnfJzBsiyT
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) November 13, 2022
Goaltender Matthew Villalta made a few big stops early, helping to keep things knotted at zero after 20 minutes. Then, in the second stanza, Bakersfield scored twice early to go up 2-0. Ontario put their own goal on the board when Turcotte found Byfield all alone in the slot, who danced to his backhand before sliding the puck into the open cage.
Bakersfield later banked a puck off of the back of Villalta to push their lead back up to multiple goals. Despite a pair of two man-advantage opportunities and a late surge, the Reign failed to find the back of the net again. With the loss, Bakersfield now holds a 2-1 advantage in the season series. They’ll see each other again on Sunday, December 4.
RELATED CONTENT:
Ontario Reign: Projected Lineup at Bakersfield; Plus Notes on Spence, Turcotte, and Byfield
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