REIGN FINAL – Reign 2, Barracuda 4 – Sturm, Madden

The San Jose Barracuda (15-18-0-1) scored four goals in the third period to come from behind and defeat the Ontario Reign (15-13-0-1) Friday night at Toyota Arena by a 4-2 score.

Reign forwards Tyler Madden and TJ Tynan each scored power play goals in a losing effort for Ontario, while goaltender Cal Petersen made 29 stops and kept the team in the game throughout.

BOX SCORE

More from head coach Marco Sturm and Madden below.

Ontario scored first to take the lead with the lone goal of the first two periods when Madden blasted a shot to the top left corner of the net off a pass by Lias Andersson at 6:44 of the second. Tynan was credited with the second assist on the play, feeding Andersson down low on the goal line.

Petersen was perfect through 40 minutes, stopping 10 San Jose shots in the opening period and six during a second frame that saw Ontario hold a 14-6 shot edge.

But after the Reign killed off consecutive penalties early in the final stanza, Thomas Bordeleau got the Barracuda on the board at 6:24 tie up the game at 1-1. San Jose took the lead less than four minutes later on a strike by Darren Brady at 9:43.

Tynan got Ontario even at 2-2 with his fourth goal of the season three minutes later at 12:23, finishing a cross-crease pass by Andersson with a one-timer. The team’s second power play goal of the evening also had a second helper by Samuel Fagemo.

The contest remained tied until Petersen was called for a tripping penalty at 15:58 and Bordeleau netted his second of the period to regain the lead for San Jose.

An empty-net strike by Will Riedell put a cap on the win for the Cuda in the final minute at 19:17.

Ontario finished 2-for-3 on the power play in the game, while San Jose ended at 1-for-4. Barracuda netminder Aaron Dell earned the win with 28 saves for the visitors.

Marco Sturm
On tonight’s third period
I think it all started right away from the first minute of the third period. We killed off a penalty; an unnecessary penalty. We took another one and all of a sudden, they got life and then absolutely outplayed us in the third period. We were just hanging on. I think all the penalties were penalties. They were our mistakes and were out fault. That’s why we end up in that position.

On the 6-game losing streak
The first Calgary game was probably not our best game, but after that we actually didn’t play too bad. I felt pretty good, even when we lost some games, but we had some good games and good stretches. We just made some mistakes and unfortunately pucks end up in our net. I think we’ve had some good things though, even when we lose.

On Cal Petersen
He was really good. I thought it was one of his best games. When he got sent down, he was mad and disappointed, but he was really good. He was dialed in. He had a little bit of a [tough] stretch, but he’s still been really good. Today, I think he showed how good he is. The first [goal] was an unlucky one and went in the net, then unfortunately, we didn’t help him at all. That’s on us. It shouldn’t happen because he played a great game.

Tyler Madden

Ontario heads to Coachella Valley on Sunday for an afternoon matchup with the Firebirds beginning at 3 p.m. at Acrisure Arena.