Ontario Reign: Three Takeaways From 5-1 Against Calgary

Goal Breakdown

First period: 

ONT: PP Samuel Fagemo (32), ASST: Brandt Clarke (26), Charles Hudon (27)

ONT: Samuel Fagemo (33), ASST: TJ Tynan (43)

Second period: 

ONT: Nikita Pavlychev (2), ASST: Wyatte Wylie (8), Kim Nousiainen (6)

ONT: Taylor Ward (6), ASST: Charles Hudon (28), Hayden Hodgson (9)

Third period:

CGY: PP William Stromgren (4), ASST: Jonathan Aspirot (23), Jeremie Poirier (8)

ONT: EN Samuel Fagemo (34), ASST: Taylor Ward (16), Joe Hicketts (15)

Stats

Goals: 

ONT: 5

CGY: 1

Shots: 

ONT: 31

CGY: 39

Power plays: 

ONT: 1/3

CGY: 1/3

Here are the three takeaways from Sunday’s 5-1 victory:

Akil Thomas doesn’t finish the game

Let’s start with the concerning news first. Akil Thomas has played in every Reign game so far this season. After last night, that streak may be in jeopardy. Nearly midway through the first period, Thomas drove to the net and drew a hooking penalty. After going for the loose puck in the corner, Thomas was on the wrong end of a kneeing penalty from Wranglers forward Clark Bishop.

Initially, it looked like Thomas took a shoulder up high to the head area, but on the replay, and in slow motion, that wasn’t the case. Bishop’s left knee hit Thomas’ left knee or thigh area (was hard to tell on the replay). That was the last play of the game for Bishop as he received a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct. Thomas went down the tunnel briefly and came back to finish the first and second periods. Unfortunately, in a shift late in the first period, Thomas didn’t look right. He was skating gingerly and couldn’t get off a first stride without looking visibly uncomfortable.

With the Reign up 4-0 entering the third period, Thomas stayed in the locker room and didn’t return. Samuel Heleinus and Francesco Pinelli each took turns centering the second line in Thomas’ absence. With another game tonight, Thomas’ status may be uncertain. If Thomas misses a stretch of games, Ontario will lose one of its most trusted and consistent players.

Contributions down the lineup

This was a team effort, which was in contrast to the last two meetings in Calgary for the Reign. In those two meetings, the Reign got great play from their goaltenders and special teams, but five-on-five play was an issue even though they managed a split. Last night, all three of those areas played a factor in Ontario coming away victorious.

The five-on-five play was much better, mainly through the first 40 minutes. Special teams came up big when needed and Erik Portillo made 38 saves for his 17th victory of the season. Ten different Reign players recorded a point, with Samuel Fagemo, Taylor Ward, and Charles Hudon each recording multi-point games.

Marco Sturm has gotten good production from his bottom-six forwards lately. In Wednesday’s 5-3 victory over Abbotsford, it was the fourth line that sparked the comeback but last night was the third line who provided solid play. That third line of Nikita Pavlychev, Taylor Ward, and Helenius provided energy, puck possession, and good shifts in the offensive zone.

Lucky seven

What a difference a year makes. A year ago, around this time, the Reign train had fallen off the track and were on a five-game losing streak when they faced the Calgary Wranglers at home. Every year is different in the AHL with all the roster turnover, but this Reign team has been playing their best hockey of the season and the 5-1 victory extended their current win streak to seven games. They’ve been getting contributions from everyone in the lineup and have found different ways to win. With last night being the start of a five-game stretch in seven days, playing connected as a five-man unit will be key for the rest of the week.

NOTES:

*Dustin Wolf started his 20th consecutive game against the Reign and 21st in his career.

*Samuel Fagemo registered his third hat trick of the season with his empty-net goal in the third period. Fagemo also recorded his 16th power-play goal of the season in the first period, which is the most in a season in the Reign’s brief AHL history.

*Erik Portillo improved his save percentage to .951 in four games against the Wranglers this year.

UP NEXT: These two teams are back at it in Calgary tonight to conclude the two-game series. Game time is at 6 PM PT and can be seen on AHLTV.