Reign edge Grizzlies in 2-1 win Ontario picks up two points to widen gap with Utah

ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign (33-17-4-5), four-time ECHL Pacific Division Champions and proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s 2014 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, defeated the Utah Grizzlies (30-23-5-3) by a 2-1 score in front of a sell-out crowd of 9,395 on Saturday night at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Both teams played to a scoreless first period, with Joe Cannata making a breakaway stop on Brenden Walker midway through the frame, while Igor Bobkov turned aside 13 shots from the Reign. Ontario Logo

Ontario opened the scoring in the second period when Josh Brittain knocked in a loose puck into a wide-open net at 11:12, with Kyle Bigos receiving the assist.

The Reign extended their lead to two goals when Judd Blackwater dragged the puck around a Grizzlies forward at the right circle and then moved across the crease, tucking the puck into the bottom left corner of the net at 12:37, with David Rutherford and Garry Nunn assisting.

In the third period, Alex Krushelnyski snapped a shot between the post and the glove of Cannata at 12:24 to put Utah on the board, but the Reign defense stood firm the rest of the way to secure the victory.

Cannata picked up the with 15 saves; Bobkov took the loss with 27 stops.

Three Stars:

1. ONT – Judd Blackwater

2. ONT – Josh Brittain

3. ONT – Joe Cannata

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