STOCKTON, Calif. – The Ontario Reign (33-16-3-2) clinched a playoff berth for the first time since their inaugural season 2008-09, in an exciting 9-8 shootout victory against the Colorado Eagles on Friday night. Ontario is the second team to clinch in the Pacific Division, and currently trail the Las Vegas Wranglers by only two points with 18 games left to be played. Which means the top spot is still a possibility.
The clinching game did not come easy, as both teams were vying for that early playoff spot. In a wild game that left little for the special-teams to write home about.
There were a combined five goals in the first period, and Colorado lead 3-2 going into the break. Eagles goals by Ben Chiarot, Aaron Slattengren and Michael Forney, and Reign goals from Vincent LoVerde and Kevin Estrada.
The action intensified in the second period, where there were nine combined goals scored and 60 minutes of penalties assessed. Eagles head coach Chris Stewart was ejected for protesting a call early in the period. At the end of the period, Ontario trailed 8-6. Goals for the Eagles were from Riley Nelson, Forney (2), Kevin Ulanski and Aaron Schneekloth. Ontario goals in the period were from Kyle Kraemer (2), Bill Bagron (short-handed) and Chris Huxley. Of all nine goals, only one of Forney’s was with both teams at full strength. Seven of the goals were power play goals.
Netminder Jean-Francois Berube was forced from the Ontario net following the fifth goal against him, with just under 29 minutes of action.
The third period opened with another power play goal by Ontario’s Pat Bowen with the equalizer at 16:38, also a power play goal from Everett Sheen.
The overtime period remained scoreless forcing the shootout. Ontario’s goaltender Chris Carrozzi finished the game with 20 saves, denying all four shots against him. Kraemer and Tristan King scored the two shootout goals to give Ontario the edge and the game winner with a final score of 9-8.
Eagle’s goalie Kyle Jones took the loss with 32 saves. Forney listed his first career hat-trick in the loss.
Ontario’s Kraemer extended his point-streak to 13 games.
The two teams return to play again Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland Colorado.
Contact Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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