Ontario Reign: Three Takeaways From 4-2 Win Over Tucson

Goal Breakdown

First period:

TUC: Kevin Rooney (2), ASST: Daniil But (1), Sammy Walker (2)

ONT: Akil Thomas (2), ASST: Kenny Connors (1), Jack Millar (1)

Second period:

TUC: PP Cameron Hebig (1), ASST: Ben McCartney (2), Michal Kunc (1)

ONT: Joe Hicketts (1), ASST: Kaleb Lawrence (1), Jacob Doty (1)

ONT: Otto Salin (1), ASST: None

Third period:

ONT: PP Martin Chromiak (1), ASST: Joe Hicketts (1), Andre Lee (1)

Stats

Goals:

TUC: 2

ONT: 4

Shots: 

TUC: 21

ONT: 27

Power plays: 

TUC: 1/4

ONT: 1/6

Here are the three takeaways from Sunday’s 4-2 victory:

Real Deal Akil strikes again

It’s not been an easy path to the Los Angeles Kings’ lineup for Akil Thomas over the past year. Going from a potential mainstay in the lineup to rarely playing last year, to being back in the AHL this season, can be tough for players from a mental standpoint.

It doesn’t appear to be that way for Thomas through the Reign’s first two games. After tallying a goal and an assist on Friday, Thomas found the back of the net once again, with a little bit of luck.

Thomas tried a cross-ice pass down low to Jared Wright that got broken up, but the former stood with the play, corralling the loose puck and firing it by the right pad of Jaxson Stauber.

A red-hot start for Thomas.

A pair of firsts for two prospects

Two prospects earned milestones in this game.

Kenny Connors earned his first professional point with a primary assist on Thomas’ goal. Connors didn’t get an assist on Joe Hicketts’ goal in the middle frame, but started the play by moving the puck quickly to Jacob Doty to lead an odd-man rush for Ontario. The 21-year-old was a +3 rating for the game and has quietly played solid in both games as the Reign’s fourth-line center.

Otto Salin tallied his first professional goal in North America. Salin is a defenseman who isn’t afraid to lead, jump into the rush, or be aggressive when the opportunity presents itself. That is exactly what happened.

After a long shot caromed (either off a body or Portillo) right toward Salin, the rookie defenseman didn’t hesitate to take the puck up the ice with no Tucson defender in close quarters. Salin skated with the puck up the ice, shielded the puck from a backchecking Ben McCartney, went forehand to backhand, and slid the puck five-hole on Stauber to give the Reign a late lead in the second.

His goal stood as the game-winner. That’s not a bad way to score your first professional goal on North American ice.

Portillo gets the win

Erik Portillo was given the start again by head coach Andrew Lord after the former surrendered five goals on 27 shots in Ontario’s opening night loss. Despite the box score not reflecting in his favor, Ontario’s new head coach thought he played well in his first game back from injury, especially in the middle frame when Ontario didn’t play its best.

Last night, Portillo stopped 19 of 21 Tucson shots, earning his first win of the season. There were two moments when he looked shaky in the second period, but I thought the third-year professional was solid between the pipes in a bounce-back game. Remember, it’s going to be a process in the early stages of this season as he gets comfortable and back into a game rhythm after missing eight months of not playing in a meaningful game.

NOTES:

*Martin Chromiak’s power-play goal in the third period was his 100th career AHL point.

*Hicketts recorded two points (1 G, 1 A) and was named the game’s first star.

*Samuel Bolduc led all skaters with five shots on goal.

*The Reign had 11 skaters record at least one point in two games this weekend. Could balanced scoring be a theme for the season? Time will tell.

UP NEXT: The Reign return to action on Friday, October 17th, at home against the Henderson Silver Knights. The game starts at 7 PM PST, and you can watch it on FloHockey or listen to it on the Ontario Reign radio network.