Reign denied chance for sweep of Aces in 3-1 loss

ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign (36-18-4-5), four-time ECHL Pacific Division Champions and proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s 2014 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, fell to the Alaska Aces (30-25-3-4) by a 3-1 score in front of a sell-out crowd of 9,395 – the team’s eighth of the season – on Saturday evening at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

The Aces got the lead in the first period when Greg Wolfe rifled a howitzer from the slot off a one-timer from Brendan Connolly at 17:39 that beat Jussi Olkinuora to the glove side.

Ontario struck back in the second period as Maxim Kitsyn carried the puck all the way around the net of Troy Redmann and then tucked a shot through the goaltender’s pads 13:24.

Connolly gave Alaska the lead again in the third period when Evan Renwick’s point shot redirected off of Connolly’s skate and into the net at 13:40.

The Reign pulled Olkinuora for the extra man in the final moments of regulation, but the Aces sealed the game when Ryan Walters launched the puck into the empty net at 19:50.

Olkinuora took the defeat with 23 saves; Redmann earned the win with 25 stops.

Three Stars:

1. AK – Brendan Connolly