Pheonix Copley turned out all 27 shots that came his way on Saturday night to lead the Ontario Reign (24-13-1-1) to a 3-0 win over the Coachella Valley Firebirds (21-14-1-5) at Toyota Arena.
The victory gave Ontario a season series split with the Firebirds from eight games this year, with each team claiming four contests, and moved the Reign into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division standings with 50 points.
Ontario’s goals came from Taylor Ward, Jack Studnicka and Jack Millar, while Charles Hudon also posted two assists.
Ward put Ontario in front with his sixth goal of the season at 14:27 of the first, scoring off a rebound of a shot by Hudon that deflected off the shin of a Coachella Valley defender. Ward quickly gathered the puck and flung it past goaltender Nikke Kokko to make it 1-0.
Late in the second period, Studnicka extended the Reign’s advantage by scoring his 10th goal of the year on a long-range wrister from the top of the offensive zone. Assists on the play, which came at 16:31 of the middle frame, went to defensive partners Jack Millar and Joe Hicketts.
Malott put the game out of reach with an empty-net goal at 17:22 of the final frame which came with a lone assist to Hudon.
The Firebirds held a 27-21 shots-on-net advantage in the contest, with Kokko stopping 18 attempts in a losing effort. Ontario managed to stay out of the penalty box for the entirety of the game, while Coachella Valley took three minor penalties and killed each off.
Postgame reactions from Millar and head coach Marco Sturm are below –
Jack Millar
On his team’s play in tonight’s win
The last couple games, we’ve just tried to have a defense first mindset and kind of build from the back, and I think it’s working well so far.
On his confidence during his rookie season
I think it’s just been something I’ve been working with the staff on the whole year. I feel more confident out there. They’re trusting me a little more and it shows a bit.
On playing with Hicketts and Jones
They each have their own unique abilities. They’re both veteran guys in the league with a couple of NHL games and a bunch of AHL games, so I just listen to them. Take in what they have to say. Just try to support them as best as I can.
On the Reign’s defensive group
It’s been great. We kind of all have the same mindset. Just kind of doing our job, doing our thing. We know if one person steps down, the next guy will step up. So just kind of that group mentality on the back end.
Marco Sturm
On Copley’s performance
He was very solid the last few games. He gave us the comfort we probably needed right from the start. I think we had a good game plan today and we executed. It was nice to see that we came out with a solid team win in a back-to-back game against a good team with a shutout too. It was an excellent game.
On the team’s defense effort
I thought for Dvorak that was one of his best games I’ve seen all year long. A few guys stepped up and they had some good gaps. Our forwards, they tracked well. We played pretty good in front of him (Copley). We didn’t give up much, not shots, not chances, and he did the rest.
On not taking any penalties tonight
That helps. The last few games, our penalty kill actually stepped up. You just don’t want to give them any momentum. We want to let them get frustrated, play our game, and leave them out of the box.
The Reign are back in action on Wednesday night at Toyota Arena where they will face the Colorado Eagles at 7 p.m.
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