The Ontario Reign (43-24-3-1) finished off their season series against the rival San Diego Gulls (28-35-5-3) by adding another result in the win column, holding off a late comeback to earn a 2-1 win on Friday night at Toyota Arena.
Goaltender Carter George improved to 2-0-0 in his young professional career by making 27 saves, leading Ontario to victory. The win also kept the Reign even for second place with the Abbotsford Canucks and set up a showdown between the two teams on the final day of the regular season Saturday night.
Ontario out-shot San Diego 14-9 in the first, but neither club was able to get on the board in the opening frame. Each side had looks on the power play in the period, which also featured a fight between Shawn Element and Travis Howe.
Charles Hudon put the Reign in front first, scoring on a penalty shot for his 20th tally of the year, which he was awarded at 10:21 of the middle period. Hudon broke through to make it 1-0 with a wrist shot that sailed over the blocker of San Diego goaltender Oscar Dansk. It was the first penalty shot the Reign have been awarded this season.
Three minutes later, Kaleb Lawrence extended Ontario’s advantage with a power play strike that came off a redirect of a shot by Caleb Jones. Lawrence’s goal gave him tallies in back-to-back games and points in three straight, which had the Reign up 2-0 at 13:29. A second assist on the man-advantage marker went to Glenn Gawdin.
Ontario had a 11-6 edge on the shot clock during the second and a 25-15 combined total through 40 minutes, but San Diego came charging hard in the third, out-shooting the Reign 13-3 to even the two teams up at 28-28 for the game when the final buzzer sounded.
San Diego ended George’s scoreless streak to begin his pro career at 114:19 when Sam Colangelo found the back of the net on the power play with 5:31 remaining in the contest.
But the young backstop did not allow any other shots past him in the final minutes, keeping Ontario in front until time expired.
Dansk turned out 26 shots for the Gulls in a losing effort and both teams were able to convert once on the power play with the Reign going 1-for-6 and San Diego ending at 1-for-4 on the man-advantage.
Postgame reactions from forward Jared Wright, Lawrence and head coach Marco Sturm are below –
Jared Wright
On his pro debut Wednesday night
It was pretty chaotic. I didn’t think I was going to play, then came in and did. Just thankful for the support I got from the guys just playing my first game, just to play my game and not to worry too much about mistakes. Just an awesome group and I’m very lucky with players I got to play with.
On the way he played tonight
I think I was just skating more, being more responsible in the D zone. I think the first game I was a little bit lost in the D zone sometimes, but I think I got better as the game went on and in the second game. Just overall, trying to add more structure and be detailed, because I know this team’s trying to win here.
On playing with speed
I think I’m playing my best when I’m skating. Just trying to forecheck, backcheck, just whatever the team needs to win. Especially defensively, I want to be relied upon and gain the trust of the coaches. So trying to do that as best as I can.
On what it’s been like coming to a new team in April
It’s been pretty crazy. I mean, it was a really fun time in Denver trying to win it. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done. But I think that set me up for success coming in here. They’re in a win now mode and just gearing up for the playoffs, so I’m really excited.
Kaleb Lawrence
Marco Sturm
On his team’s play to hold the lead during the third period
Our third period was actually pretty good. We were very calm. We didn’t really give up anything. It was just the power play. It was not a good faceoff. I think we had the puck too for a second and took the penalty. Then they scored. But even after that, it was like a different game, different period than we played them last time. I told the guys before the game, it doesn’t really matter how good or bad they are, or where they are in the standings, they’re always going to play good against us. It was not really a surprise.
On Saturday’s final regular season game
I think for me, it’s more like, when do we start (playoffs)? Right? You know, could be in a few days. Could be in a week. Who knows. But again, we’re going to take it day by day. We want to finish the season the right way. We want to finish with a win. Hopefully go with a good mindset, with a good attitude and lots of happy faces into our playoffs.
On Taylor Ward’s NHL debut last night
We all watched it for sure, players too. We all were rooting for him. I stopped by in the morning, I saw how nervous he was in the locker room. It was just great to see and it was just a great moment for him and his family. All the hard work he put in, especially in the summers, he was getting better pretty much every day and every season, so good for him. Also getting the goal and to see the family celebrating, I thought that was pretty neat. I have to say this, besides a lot of Reign alumni being out on the ice when he scored. You look at all the shifts and all these opportunities he had guys like Byfield who were so supportive, or Turcotte or Spence, they always tapped him on every shift. I was looking for that kind of stuff. That just shows they’re all leaders already at that young age. So for me, that was bigger than the goal because it showed me the character we built in this organization in the last few years.
The Reign’s final contest of the 2024-25 AHL regular season against Abbotsford begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Toyota Arena.
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