Reign plummet to 5-game losing streak in overtime loss to Barracuda
Sabrina McClain
Host · Writer
ONTARIO, CA. — For the fifth straight game, the Ontario Reign were defeated.
This time, it was a 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Barracuda – a team who is below them in the AHL Pacific Division – and all while being on home ice.
Although right now, home ice doesn’t seem like an advantage for the Reign.
This loss makes Ontario’s home record 1-5 this season.
And it’s interesting to factor in that last year, the Reign had a franchise-record 10 home losses the entire season.
And now just 12 games into the season, they’re already halfway there.
Cam Lund scored the game-winning goal just 17 seconds into the 5-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period.
Overtime was over before it ever really began and unfortunately the Reign’s losing streak continues.
Taylor Ward’s third goal of the season gave Ontario the 1-0 lead halfway through the first period with help from Cole Guttman and Jack Hughes.
Brenden Hoffmann would tie the game early in the second period as Carson Wetsch and Roland McKeown assisted.
Just 19 seconds after skating back onto the ice after sitting in the penalty box for roughing, Kaleb Lawrence scored his second goal this season and Ontario was back in control.
“I think he’s (Lawrence) come in with the right mindset,” Ontario coach Andrew Lord said. “He’s worked every day; consistency and practice has really been there, seems ready to play every night. He’s moving his feet well, he’s using his size. He’s had some good fights and the puck play is pretty good right now.”
Donavan Houle got his puck past Reign goalie Carter George 17:46 into the second period, evening the score again.
The final 20 minutes came and went and Lund’s overtime goal would quickly place the Reign in eighth place in the Pacific Division at 5-6-1-0 and 11 points.
The Reign and Barracuda (5-6-0-0; 10 points; ninth place in AHL Pacific) both went 0-for-1 on the power play.
George finished with 23 saves while San Jose goalie Eric Comrie stopped 22 shots on goal.
George falls to 2-1-1-0 on the season.
Ontario travels to Abbotsford to play a weekend series against the Canucks (7-2-0-1; 15 points; second place in AHL Pacific) Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Reign will face the Canucks two more times this month when Abbotsford visits Ontario Nov. 14 and 18.
