Now this is how you begin a title defense. After clipping the Condors on opening night, the defending champs drove over the Moose and then backed up during this past weekend’s away-and-away.
On Thursday, Ontario overcame seven Manitoba power plays, managing to still outshoot (25-17) and outscore (4-1) their opponent.
A couple of nights later, top-flight Winnipeg prospect Connor Hellebuyck’s 44-save brick wall wasn’t enough, as the Reign tipped the Moose in OT 1-0.
Not that we need any further underscore of Ontario’s superiority, but it wasn’t until the second period of this third game of their season that the Reign were outshot in a period. Some weekend player observations:
- Michael Mersch continues to be Ontario’s most impactful player night in, night out. Coach Mike Stothers was quick to recognize this, as Mersch was essentially double shifted on Saturday night in Paul Bissonnette’s place. The 6’1″ winger is tied for the AHL lead in shots: Providence’s Frank Vatrano has 20 shots in five games—and Mersch has matched that figure in just three. Of course, this offensive prowess is already well documented—but he’s been a force in every zone and situation. According to Moose play-by-play man Mitch Peacock, this backcheck prevented a sure goal:
He also pulled off this PK pickpocket at least twice in Bakersfield, repeating the feat here:
- Valentin Zykov is clearly benefiting from skating at Mersch and Nic Dowd’s side. That said, the AHL rookie has been no passenger, looking right at home with the league’s pace. He’s also displayed a heavy shot and quick hands on multiple occasions, capped off by his OT game-winner and first AHL goal:
But as I mentioned last week, the aggressive winger still needs to learn how to channel his energy. Look where the puck is when Zykov is whistled for this holding, negating a Reign man advantage:
All scoring chance and puck possession counts are estimated. Ontario returns to Southern California for their home opener this Friday against Bakersfield.
Even Strength Scoring Chances
10/15/15
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOTAL | |
| ONT | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| MB | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
10/17/15
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| ONT | 7 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 22 |
| MB | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 10 |
Even Strength Corsi
10/15/15
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOTAL | |
| ONT | 16 | 11 | 12 | 39 |
| MB | 20 | 10 | 6 | 36 |
10/17/15
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| ONT | 26 | 14 | 24 | 6 | 70 |
| MB | 8 | 19 | 17 | 1 | 45 |
Individual Even Strength Corsi
10/15/15
| Number | Player | CF | CA | CF% |
| 2 | K. MacDermid | 10 | 10 | 50.0% |
| 4 | K. Gravel | 20 | 22 | 47.6% |
| 5 | V. LoVerde | 11 | 11 | 50.0% |
| 6 | J. McBain | 22 | 19 | 53.7% |
| 7 | V. Zykov | 12 | 4 | 75.0% |
| 9 | A. Kempe | 9 | 11 | 45.0% |
| 11 | K. Newbury | 15 | 10 | 60.0% |
| 12 | J. Brodzinski | 4 | 11 | 26.7% |
| 15 | P. Bissonnette | 0 | 6 | 0.0% |
| 16 | S. Backman | 12 | 10 | 54.5% |
| 21 | A. Crescenzi | 8 | 15 | 34.8% |
| 24 | R. Horvat | 2 | 9 | 18.2% |
| 25 | S. Sabourin | 8 | 12 | 40.0% |
| 26 | N. Dowd | 16 | 4 | 80.0% |
| 27 | M. Mersch | 21 | 3 | 87.5% |
| 33 | K. Raine | 5 | 6 | 45.5% |
| 39 | J. Auger | 8 | 13 | 38.1% |
| 55 | J. Schultz | 10 | 4 | 71.4% |
10/17/15
| Number | Player | CF | CA | CF% |
| 2 | K. MacDermid | 12 | 14 | 46.2% |
| 4 | K. Gravel | 31 | 15 | 67.4% |
| 5 | V. LoVerde | 15 | 20 | 42.9% |
| 6 | J. McBain | 32 | 13 | 71.1% |
| 7 | V. Zykov | 19 | 8 | 70.4% |
| 9 | A. Kempe | 10 | 15 | 40.0% |
| 11 | K. Newbury | 12 | 21 | 36.4% |
| 12 | J. Brodzinski | 13 | 4 | 76.5% |
| 15 | P. Bissonnette | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 16 | S. Backman | 12 | 17 | 41.4% |
| 21 | A. Crescenzi | 23 | 12 | 65.7% |
| 24 | R. Horvat | 17 | 12 | 58.6% |
| 25 | S. Sabourin | 15 | 13 | 53.6% |
| 26 | N. Dowd | 24 | 9 | 72.7% |
| 27 | M. Mersch | 38 | 8 | 82.6% |
| 33 | K. Raine | 21 | 10 | 67.7% |
| 39 | J. Auger | 19 | 15 | 55.9% |
| 55 | J. Schultz | 23 | 17 | 57.5% |
Lines
10/15/15
Ontario Reign
9 Kempe – 11 Newbury – 16 Backman
27 Mersch – 26 Dowd – 7 Zykov
39 Auger – 21 Crescenzi – 25 Sabourin
15 Bissonnette – 24 Horvat – 12 Brodzinski
2 MacDermid – 5 Loverde
4 Gravel – 6 McBain
55 Schultz – 33 Raine
31 Budaj
Manitoba Moose
25 Fraser – 28 Cormier – 10 Armia
15 Halischuk – 19 De Leo – 24 Kosmachuk
17 Lodge – 16 Albert – 34 Lipon
22 Kramer – 9 Olsen – 50 Brassard
44 Melchiori – 8 Kichton
20 Harrison – 3 Kostalek
7 Morrissey – 2 MacWilliam
37 Hellebuyck
10/17/15
Ontario Reign
9 Kempe – 11 Newbury – 16 Backman
27 Mersch – 26 Dowd – 7 Zykov
39 Auger – 21 Crescenzi – 25 Sabourin
15 Bissonnette – 24 Horvat – 12 Brodzinski
2 MacDermid – 5 Loverde
4 Gravel – 6 McBain
55 Schultz – 33 Raine
31 Budaj
Manitoba Moose
25 Fraser – 28 Cormier – 10 Armia
15 Halischuk – 9 Olsen – 24 Kosmachuk
17 Lodge – 16 Albert – 34 Lipon
49 Fronk – 19 De Leo – 50 Brassard
44 Melchiori – 8 Kichton
20 Harrison – 3 Kostalek
7 Morrissey – 2 MacWilliam
37 Hellebuyck