A three-goal first period was good enough for a win as the Ontario Reign split their two-game weekend series against Tucson.
First period:
ONT: Tyler Madden (11), ASST: Lias Andersson (16), Jordan Spence (29)
TUC: Cam Dineen (4), ASST: Michael Carcone (40), Cameron Hebig (5)
ONT: Samuel Fagemo (13), ASST: Tobie Bisson (9), Samuel Helenius (8)
ONT: PP Alex Turcotte (6), ASST: Martin Chromiak (10), Tobias Bjornfot (3)
Second period:
None
Third period:
TUC: Jean-Sebastian Dea (19), ASST: Laurent Dauphin (21)
ONT: EN TJ Tynan (7), ASST: Tyler Madden (10), Jacob Moverare (10)
ONT: EN Tyler Madden (12), ASST: TJ Tynan (48), Lias Andersson (17)
Goals:
TUC: 2
ONT: 5
Shots:
TUC: 38
ONT: 29
Power-plays:
TUC: 0/5
ONT: 1/2
Here are the three takeaways from Saturday’s 5-2 victory:
It only took the Ontario Reign 6:03 to score their first goal of the game after being shut out Friday night. Tyler Madden started the scoring for Reign with his 11th of the season. It didn’t take long for the Roadrunners to answer as Cam Dineen scored his 4th of the year from a sharp angle, one that Cal Petersen should’ve had, to tie the game at one.
Number 10 gets number 1 for the #ReignTrain tonight!#ReignTrain | @SanAntonioHosp pic.twitter.com/dblNKjQ9FM
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) February 5, 2023
Samuel Fagemo gave the Reign the lead right back after sneaking behind the Tucson defense, beating Tyler Parks short side. After Travis Barron was assessed a goalie interference penalty, Alex Turcotte scored a power-play goal after a failed clearing attempt by the Roadrunners to give the Reign a 3-1 lead right as the power play was expiring.
"ima firin mah lazer" – @samuelfagemo #ReignTrain | @SanAntonioHosp pic.twitter.com/o3qgt3oBmf
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) February 5, 2023
Wowzeers @Turcotte__71 #ReignTrain | @SanAntonioHosp pic.twitter.com/b6LiGdvyWh
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) February 5, 2023
It was important for the Reign to have a strong start after getting shut out in the first game of this two-game series and they did just that. They scored three goals on 13 shots in the first period and were able to hang on late for a 5-2 win.
Hitting 500 career AHL points the night before #AHLAllStar?
That's a milestone if we've ever heard one pic.twitter.com/YAY4wm9j0i
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) February 5, 2023
It was a special night for the captain. Not only did his empty-net goal seal a win for the Reign, but it was also his 500th career AHL point. While it has been hard for Tynan to crack an NHL roster, he has found a home in the AHL. Tynan, the back-to-back MVP winner, is not just a great player because of his stats, it’s his leadership and work ethic that makes him a great player and why the Reign named him team captain before the start of the season.
What a hustle play by the Captain!#ReignTrain | @SanAntonioHosp pic.twitter.com/2Zh1qz46lw
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) February 5, 2023
Tynan would add an assist on Madden’s empty-net goal 22 seconds later, pushing his career point total to 501.
Cal Petersen made 38 saves Friday night in a losing effort and was named the starting goalie last night. It was the second straight weekend where Petersen made both starts on the back-to-back. Just like Friday night, Petersen had a strong game. After giving up a goal on a sharp angle midway through the first, one he should have had, Petersen was locked in and made some key saves in the final two periods, including a breakaway save on the AHL’s leading scorer Michael Carcone late in the second period.
CAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL#ReignTrain | @SanAntonioHosp pic.twitter.com/SXyGsVmjCs
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) February 5, 2023
The Reign needed him the most in the third period as Tucson had 20 shots on goal and even had a 5-on-3 for 1:17. The Reign needed a few saves they got those saves as they killed off the 5-on-3. This weekend was the first time in a while I thought Petersen looked confident and dialed in. His 36-save night earned him the first star of the game.
UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign will have a small break as the AHL all-star break is here. TJ Tynan will represent the Reign at the event. Ontario returns to action on February 10th in Bakersfield against the Condors.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!