ANAHEIM – The Ontario Reign wrapped up their final preseason game with a 4-1 loss to the San Diego Gulls in front of a crowd of 10,214 on Monday night at Honda Center. Forward Justin Auger came away with the only marker for Ontario.
The pace was set early in the first period for San Diego when forward Kevin Roy fed 
the puck to forward Nick Tarnasky who scored at 1:32. Just a few minutes later, Roy netted a goal of his own on the power play, firing a quick wrister home from the left circle. Defenseman Andy Welinsky secured a 3-0 lead with 5:45 remaining in the first, launching a shot from the right point that got through the pads of netminder Peter Budaj.
While on the power play in the middle frame, Auger put Ontario on the board, tapping in a rebound after some solid pressure with five seconds remaining. In the same period, the Gulls reasserted their lead when forward Stefan Noesen picked up a shot that clanked off the high glass and dumped it past Budaj to make it 4-1. Shortly after, goaltender Jack Campbell replaced Budaj who finished with 7 saves on 11 shots. Ontario outshot the Gulls, 22-14 in the first 40 minutes of play.
The shot margins were less exaggerated in the final period, and the Reign had a few power play opportunities come their way, but were unable to capitalize as netminder Dustin Tokarski made nine stops. He finished the night with 32 saves. The Gulls continued to pressure offensively in the waning minutes of regulation, however, Campbell gave a stellar performance in the net, as he turned away all seven shots faced. He ended the night with 19 saves.
You must be logged in to post a comment.