All scoring chance, Corsi, and faceoff counts are estimated.
Ontario’s schedule is packed this week, kicking off with a rare Tuesday tilt at Stockton. Then, the Heat follow the Reign to CBBA on Thursday; finally, the Charlotte Checkers visit for a home-and-home on Saturday and Sunday.
Notes
- Valentin Zykov stepped up in Michael Mersch’s absence, following a goal and assist performance on 12/12/15 with puck domination on 12/19/15 (28-6 5v5 Corsi). However, it’s not surprising that even at his best, the rookie winger is still seeking consistency. After 12/12/15, Coach Mike Stothers emphasized the “details”: “I thought [Zykov] had a great game here tonight, outside of he got on the wrong side of his guy in the neutral zone there and there was about 2:20 on the clock and we managed to get it out of our zone with about 1:07 left on the clock.” Here’s the play in question:
- Adrian Kempe has really opened my eyes this year. His speed is universally well-regarded, but his hands and shot have been better than expected. I had thought his ceiling was closer to fringe second-liner/top-notch third-liner, but there’s more to him if he can put together his tantalizing tools. “If,” of course, is the operative word, as careless plays like this have occurred too often this year; that said, a lot of what Kempe is currently missing can probably be taught.
- Nic Dowd was right to be hard on himself after this series of turnovers. “First [turnover] I just lost it and tried to kick it up, maybe just skipped on me, I don’t know. The second [turnover] was just, I guess lackadaisical, went to turn back and play it over to Schultz and it got tipped off my stick.” Dowd, however, made a third, perhaps more critical mistake in this sequence, as perhaps flustered, he failed to tie up Nick Ritchie’s stick on the eventual goal. Ontario’s assistant captain is sure to face dicier moments in the NHL and will have to keep his head.
- One underrated aspect of the two-way center’s game is his passing. Will this skill translate at a higher level? This kind of boldness will separate Dowd from other prospective bottom-six centers:/
- Aided by bereft Bakersfield backchecking and a Justin Auger pick, Nick Ebert flashed gamebreaking speed and playmaking here. As this season has progressed, he’s displayed increased confidence with the puck, which is what regular partner Jeff Schultz wants from him.
- Jonny Brodzinski’s two goals in 23 games won’t impress anybody, but he continues to pile up scoring chances. Here, he turns Shane O’Brien round and round…sure, it’s just Shane O’Brien, but don’t forget that O’Brien has played 537 NHL games. It’s very much worth noting too that Mersch himself scored just six goals in his first 41 AHL contests, before notching 36 in 52 before his call-up; all this happening in just over a year and a half. Brodzinski isn’t Mersch, but he’s already earned enough scoring chances to suggest that his development is still very much on track.
12/12/15
In their first game without Mersch, the Reign clipped the Condors in convincing 3-1 fashion.
[Recap]
Even Strength Scoring Chances
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOTAL | |
| BAK | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| ONT | 5 | 7 | 2 | 15 |
Even Strength Corsi
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOTAL | |
| BAK | 16 | 14 | 11 | 41 |
| ONT | 25 | 21 | 8 | 54 |
Faceoffs
| Name | FOW | FOL | FO% |
| A. Kempe | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
| K. Newbury | 8 | 9 | 47.1% |
| A. Crescenzi | 8 | 5 | 61.5% |
| R. Horvat | 4 | 2 | 66.7% |
| N. Dowd | 9 | 10 | 47.4% |
| J. Auger | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
Individual Even Strength Corsi
| Number | Player | CF | CA | CF% |
| 4 | K. Gravel | 24 | 14 | 63.2% |
| 5 | V. LoVerde | 14 | 12 | 53.8% |
| 7 | V. Zykov | 19 | 11 | 63.3% |
| 9 | A. Kempe | 23 | 9 | 71.9% |
| 11 | K. Newbury | 14 | 15 | 48.3% |
| 12 | J. Brodzinski | 21 | 9 | 70.0% |
| 13 | C. Gogol | 3 | 7 | 30.0% |
| 15 | P. Bissonnette | 3 | 5 | 37.5% |
| 16 | S. Backman | 12 | 14 | 46.2% |
| 18 | J. Samuels-Thomas | 15 | 11 | 57.7% |
| 20 | K. MacDermid | 14 | 12 | 53.8% |
| 21 | A. Crescenzi | 16 | 14 | 53.3% |
| 23 | N. Ebert | 17 | 16 | 51.5% |
| 24 | R. Horvat | 3 | 6 | 33.3% |
| 26 | N. Dowd | 21 | 5 | 80.8% |
| 33 | K. Raine | 24 | 12 | 66.7% |
| 39 | J. Auger | 10 | 15 | 40.0% |
| 55 | J. Schultz | 15 | 16 | 48.4% |
Lines
Ontario Reign Lines
39 Auger – 11 Newbury – 16 Backman
9 Kempe – 26 Dowd – 12 Brodzinski
18 Samuels-Thomas – 21 Crescenzi – 7 Zykov
15 Bissonnette – 24 Horvat – 13 Gogol
20 MacDermid – 5 LoVerde
4 Gravel – 33 Raine
55 Schultz – 23 Ebert
31 Budaj
29 Houser
Bakersfield Condors Lines
12 Hamilton – 39 Yakimov – 33 Slepyshev
9 Pitlick – 17 Miller – 11 Ford
13 LaLeggia – 14 Platzer – 21 Chase
19 Moroz – 36 Currie – 22 Kessy
2 Reinhart – 5 Fayne
29 Hunt – 18 Simpson
15 Oesterle – 6 Musil
30 Scrivens
35 Rimmer
12/13/15
The Barracuda took a bite out of the Reign’s breakout, but Ontario still busted free for a 2-1 OT victory.
[Recap]
Even Strength Scoring Chances
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| SJ | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| ONT | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
Even Strength Corsi
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| SJ | 14 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 38 |
| ONT | 25 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 60 |
Faceoffs
| Name | FOW | FOL | FO% |
| A. Kempe | 1 | 3 | 25.0% |
| K. Newbury | 8 | 4 | 66.7% |
| J. Samuels-Thomas | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
| A. Crescenzi | 9 | 9 | 50.0% |
| N. Dowd | 14 | 10 | 58.3% |
| J. Lowry | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
| J. Auger | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
Individual Even Strength Corsi
| Number | Player | CF | CA | CF% |
| 4 | K. Gravel | 20 | 13 | 60.6% |
| 5 | V. LoVerde | 23 | 13 | 63.9% |
| 7 | V. Zykov | 18 | 7 | 72.0% |
| 9 | A. Kempe | 24 | 14 | 63.2% |
| 11 | K. Newbury | 12 | 5 | 70.6% |
| 12 | J. Brodzinski | 16 | 18 | 47.1% |
| 13 | C. Gogol | 8 | 3 | 72.7% |
| 15 | P. Bissonnette | 11 | 5 | 68.8% |
| 16 | S. Backman | 16 | 10 | 61.5% |
| 18 | J. Samuels-Thomas | 18 | 8 | 69.2% |
| 20 | K. MacDermid | 19 | 14 | 57.6% |
| 21 | A. Crescenzi | 24 | 15 | 61.5% |
| 23 | N. Ebert | 21 | 11 | 65.6% |
| 26 | N. Dowd | 18 | 17 | 51.4% |
| 28 | J. Lowry | 4 | 4 | 50.0% |
| 33 | K. Raine | 14 | 10 | 58.3% |
| 39 | J. Auger | 7 | 8 | 46.7% |
| 55 | J. Schultz | 19 | 15 | 55.9% |
Lines
Ontario Reign Lines
39 Auger – 11 Newbury – 16 Backman
9 Kempe – 26 Dowd – 12 Brodzinski
18 Samuels-Thomas – 21 Crescenzi – 7 Zykov
15 Bissonnette – 28 Lowry – 13 Gogol
20 MacDermid – 5 LoVerde
4 Gravel – 33 Raine
55 Schultz – 23 Ebert
31 Budaj
29 Houser
San Jose Barracuda Lines
89 Goodrow – 17 McCarthy – 21 Smith
82 Goldobin – 11 Lerg – 84 Parkes
38 Haley – 72 Doremus – 86 Langlois
79 Gallant – 53 Jevpalovs – 55 Emanuelsson
45 Cundari – 41 Mueller
47 Ryan – 70 Young
3 Stollery – 51 McNally
30 Dell
1 Grosenick
12/19/15
Ontario doesn’t find a soft landing on Teddy Bear Toss night, as San Diego pulls it out in the shootout.
[Recap]
Even Strength Scoring Chances
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| SD | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 12 |
| ONT | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 |
Even Strength Corsi
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| SD | 9 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 36 |
| ONT | 19 | 21 | 19 | 0 | 59 |
Faceoffs
| Name | FOW | FOL | FO% |
| V. Zykov | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
| K. Newbury | 15 | 4 | 78.9% |
| S. Backman | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
| A. Crescenzi | 8 | 9 | 47.1% |
| R. Horvat | 3 | 3 | 50.0% |
| N. Dowd | 13 | 8 | 61.9% |
Individual Even Strength Corsi
| Number | Player | CF | CA | CF% |
| 4 | K. Gravel | 21 | 13 | 61.8% |
| 5 | V. LoVerde | 10 | 9 | 52.6% |
| 7 | V. Zykov | 28 | 6 | 82.4% |
| 11 | K. Newbury | 29 | 6 | 82.9% |
| 12 | J. Brodzinski | 10 | 13 | 43.5% |
| 13 | C. Gogol | 7 | 4 | 63.6% |
| 15 | P. Bissonnette | 8 | 6 | 57.1% |
| 16 | S. Backman | 30 | 7 | 81.1% |
| 18 | J. Samuels-Thomas | 10 | 8 | 55.6% |
| 20 | K. MacDermid | 12 | 5 | 70.6% |
| 21 | A. Crescenzi | 9 | 10 | 47.4% |
| 23 | N. Ebert | 35 | 14 | 71.4% |
| 24 | R. Horvat | 12 | 6 | 66.7% |
| 25 | S. Sabourin | 9 | 5 | 64.3% |
| 26 | N. Dowd | 13 | 17 | 43.3% |
| 33 | K. Raine | 14 | 11 | 56.0% |
| 39 | J. Auger | 12 | 14 | 46.2% |
| 55 | J. Schultz | 26 | 15 | 63.4% |
Lines
Ontario Reign Lines
16 Backman – 11 Newbury – 7 Zykov
39 Auger- 26 Dowd – 12 Brodzinski
18 Samuels-Thomas – 21 Crescenzi – 15 Bissonnette
13 Gogol – 24 Horvat – 25 Sabourin
20 MacDermid – 5 LoVerde
4 Gravel – 33 Raine
55 Schultz – 23 Ebert
31 Budaj
29 Houser
San Diego Gulls Lines
20 Ritchie – 18 Sgarbossa – 11 Noesen
19 Cramarossa – 17 Kerdiles – 34 Jackman
14 Bonis – 15 Mueller – 12 Friberg
16 McGrattan – 22 Bailey – 29 Ryan
23 Moore
5 S. O’ Brien – 27 Theodore
24 Megna – 26 Montour
25 A. O’Brien
35 Khudobin
31 Hackett
12/20/15
Bakersfield enjoyed 11 power plays, but Ontario still managed to be the better team in a 2-1 OT thriller.
[Recap]
Even Strength Scoring Chances
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| BAK | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| ONT | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 10 |
Even Strength Corsi
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | TOTAL | |
| BAK | 8 | 14 | 19 | 0 | 41 |
| ONT | 12 | 10 | 25 | 1 | 48 |
Faceoffs
| Name | FOW | FOL | FO% |
| K. Newbury | 3 | 13 | 18.8% |
| J. Brodzinski | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
| A. Crescenzi | 16 | 4 | 80.0% |
| R. Horvat | 2 | 4 | 33.3% |
| N. Dowd | 11 | 4 | 73.3% |
Individual Even Strength Corsi
| Number | Player | CF | CA | CF% |
| 4 | K. Gravel | 21 | 11 | 65.6% |
| 5 | V. LoVerde | 17 | 20 | 45.9% |
| 7 | V. Zykov | 11 | 11 | 50.0% |
| 11 | K. Newbury | 18 | 11 | 62.1% |
| 12 | J. Brodzinski | 20 | 16 | 55.6% |
| 15 | P. Bissonnette | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 16 | S. Backman | 18 | 9 | 66.7% |
| 18 | J. Samuels-Thomas | 12 | 14 | 46.2% |
| 20 | K. MacDermid | 7 | 20 | 25.9% |
| 21 | A. Crescenzi | 16 | 13 | 55.2% |
| 23 | N. Ebert | 15 | 13 | 53.6% |
| 24 | R. Horvat | 3 | 16 | 15.8% |
| 25 | S. Sabourin | 3 | 6 | 33.3% |
| 26 | N. Dowd | 13 | 8 | 61.9% |
| 28 | J. Lowry | 7 | 6 | 53.8% |
| 33 | K. Raine | 15 | 8 | 65.2% |
| 39 | J. Auger | 18 | 10 | 64.3% |
| 55 | J. Schultz | 20 | 11 | 64.5% |
Lines
Ontario Reign Lines
16 Backman – 11 Newbury – 7 Zykov
28 Lowry – 26 Dowd – 39 Auger
18 Samuels-Thomas – 21 Crescenzi – 12 Brodzinski
15 Bissonnette – 24 Horvat – 25 Sabourin
20 MacDermid – 5 LoVerde
55 Schultz – 23 Ebert
4 Gravel – 33 Raine
31 Budaj
29 Houser
Bakersfield Condors Lines
19 Moroz – 39 Yakimov – 33 Slepyshev
12 Hamilton – 17 Miller – 11 Ford
25 Roy – 14 Platzer – 21 Chase
22 Kessy – 36 Currie – 23 Christoffer
15 Oesterle – 29 Hunt
28 Gernat – 6 Musil
13 LaLeggia – 18 Simpson
30 Scrivens
35 Rimmer
12/26/15
Our Reign dears stumbled out of the holiday by dropping a 4-1 decision to bitter rivals San Diego. So far this season, Ontario has been beaten in four of five by the Gulls; they’ve lost just four of 19 to all other opponents.
Even Strength Scoring Chances
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOTAL | |
| ONT | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| SD | 3 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
Even Strength Corsi
| 1 | 2 | 3 | TOTAL | |
| ONT | 14 | 17 | 7 | 38 |
| SD | 14 | 13 | 3 | 30 |
Faceoffs
| Name | FOW | FOL | FO% |
| K. Newbury | 8 | 7 | 53.3% |
| A. Crescenzi | 9 | 7 | 56.3% |
| R. Horvat | 2 | 3 | 40.0% |
| N. Dowd | 11 | 8 | 57.9% |
Individual Even Strength Corsi
| Number | Player | CF | CA | CF% |
| 4 | K. Gravel | 17 | 15 | 53.1% |
| 5 | V. LoVerde | 13 | 8 | 61.9% |
| 7 | V. Zykov | 9 | 6 | 60.0% |
| 11 | K. Newbury | 11 | 8 | 57.9% |
| 12 | J. Brodzinski | 5 | 3 | 62.5% |
| 13 | C. Gogol | 5 | 5 | 50.0% |
| 16 | S. Backman | 8 | 9 | 47.1% |
| 18 | J. Samuels-Thomas | 12 | 10 | 54.5% |
| 20 | K. MacDermid | 9 | 7 | 56.3% |
| 21 | A. Crescenzi | 9 | 5 | 64.3% |
| 23 | N. Ebert | 8 | 10 | 44.4% |
| 24 | R. Horvat | 7 | 6 | 53.8% |
| 25 | S. Sabourin | 5 | 6 | 45.5% |
| 26 | N. Dowd | 12 | 11 | 52.2% |
| 28 | J. Lowry | 9 | 6 | 60.0% |
| 33 | K. Raine | 15 | 13 | 53.6% |
| 39 | J. Auger | 14 | 11 | 56.0% |
| 55 | J. Schultz | 14 | 7 | 66.7% |
Lines
Ontario Reign Lines
16 Backman – 11 Newbury – 7 Zykov
28 Lowry – 26 Dowd – 39 Auger
18 Samuels-Thomas – 21 Crescenzi – 12 Brodzinski
13 Gogol – 24 Horvat – 25 Sabourin
20 MacDermid – 5 LoVerde
55 Schultz – 23 Ebert
4 Gravel – 33 Raine
31 Budaj
29 Houser
San Diego Gulls Lines
20 Ritchie – 18 Sgarbossa – 11 Noesen
19 Cramarossa – 17 Kerdiles – 34 Jackman
14 Bonis – 15 Mueller – 12 Friberg
16 McGrattan – 22 Bailey – 29 Ryan
5 S. O’ Brien – 27 Theodore
24 Megna – 26 Montour
25 A. O’Brien – 2 Bickel
35 Khudobin
31 Hackett