Three takeaways from the Ontario Reign’s 4-3 OT loss vs Colorado

COL: PP Dylan Sikura (25) ASST: Jordan Gross (47), Jayson Megna (17)

ONT: Cameron Gaunce (6) ASST: Helge Grans (16), Brett Sutter (10)

COL: Gabriel Fontaine (3) ASST: Roland McKeown (14), Dylan Sikura (35)

2nd period: 

COL: Jayson Megna (10) ASST: Jean-Luc Foudy (14)

ONT: PP Samuel Fagemo (26) ASST: T.J. Tynan (72), Helge Grans (17)

3rd perio d: 

None

Overtime: 

COL: Jayson Megna (11) ASST: Kiefer Sherwood (33)

Goals:

COL: 4

ONT: 3

Shots: 

COL: 27

ONT: 18

Power-plays:

COL: 1/2

ONT: 2/2

Takeaways from last night’s game:

1. Samuel Fagemo and Helge Grans both shine

Samuel Fagemo continues to stay red hot. The Reign were 2-for-2 on the power play last night, courtesy of Fagemo. Since February 26th, Fagemo has recorded 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points in that span.

Now let’s talk about Helge Grans.

The 19-year-old rookie from Sweden turned pro and is in his first year with the Ontario Reign. At the beginning of the season, Grans was thought to be the 7th defenseman or rotate in and out of the lineup with Spence.

With Sean Durzi and Jordan Spence graduating to the big club, Helge Grans has now been given the opportunity to play on the first defense pair and first power-play unit.

Last night he recorded three assists, including assisting on both the power-play goals. May we see more offensive production from Grans going forward?

2. Slumping Reign?

It’s been a rough last few weeks for the Ontario Reign. In their last ten games, they have lost seven of them. While Ontario has clinched a spot in the playoffs, they haven’t looked like themselves lately.

In a way, it could be a good thing if you look at it. It’s better to get this losing streak out of the way before the playoffs start. The Reign is a very talented team that will eventually find its way out of it.

Remember, every team goes through one of these slumps, and right now, it’s the Reign’s turn. But they’ll have to turn it around soon because of how tight the division standings are.

Don’t worry, Reign fans!

3. Standings watch

There are four weeks left in the season. Down below is a reminder of how playoff matchups are determined.

Take a look at the Pacific division.

As of right now, the Ontario Reign is in second place with 80 points. They trail the Stockton Heat by 5 points for the first seed but are also only 3 points up on Colorado for the second seed.

All three have clinched a playoff spot, so now only seeding matters. Expect a wild finish down the stretch. The first seed of the division gets a bye in the first round.

UP NEXT: The Reign has a two-game series with the Stockton Heat next weekend. They travel to Stockton Friday and come back home to face them again Sunday afternoon. You can expect those games to have a playoff feel to them.