Post Game: Reign 7, Grizzlies 3

We suppose turnabout is fair play. Just two nights after scoring 7 goals against the Stockton Thunder, the Grizzlies allowed 7 goals against the Reign in this losing attempt.

For the first two periods of play, the game remained relatively tight. Ontario grabbed the first and only goal in the intial frame, and extended their lead at the top of the 2nd. The Grizzlies responded at 8:07 of the period when James Sixsmith put Utah on the scoreboard. The Reign responded, increasing the gap to 3-1, but the Grizzlies were able to light the lamp one final time in the 2nd with one second left in the frame, 3-2.

Entering the 3rd, the Reign were on a mission and Utah wasn't able to stop them. While the Grizzlies started the period with a goal of their own to tie the game once again, 3-3. But Ontario responded, tallying 4 more to regain the lead and end the game 7-3 in their favor.

From the official post game:

The Ontario Reign scored four unanswered goals to break a 3-3 third period tie and defeated the Utah Grizzlies (26-22-2-5) 7-3 Friday night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena to snap the Grizzlies three-game winning streak. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Third Period Dooms Utah in 7-3 Loss
highlights || Game Highlights 2/26/10 at Ontario
gamesheet || Utah at Ontario 2/26/10
interview || Lance Galbraith 2/26/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Scoring Summary:

ONT G. Hogeboom (26), 7:47 1st period (Kraus); Reign 1, Grizzlies 0
ONT M. Egener (5), 5:32 2nd period (Kraus); Reign 2, Grizzlies 0
UTA J. Sixsmith (16), 8:07 2nd period (Aston); Reign 2, Grizzlies 1
ONT T. Voce (17), 2nd period (Pelech, Jackson); Reign 3, Grizzlies 1
UTA T. May (18), 19:59 2nd period (Sixsmith); Reign 3, Grizzlies 2
UTA P. Aston (5), 3:25 3rd period (Sixsmith); Reign 3, Grizzlies 3
ONT G. Hogeboom (27), 5:46 3rd period (Kraus, Egener); Reign 4, Grizzlies 3
ONT R. Pearce (5), 14:51 3rd period (Stsrling, Walker); Reign 5, Grizzlies 3
ONT G. Hogeboom (28), 16:47 3rd period (Kraus, Egener); Reign 6, Grizzlies 3
ONT T. Voce (18), 17:44 3rd period (Pelech); Reign 7, Grizzlies 3


What Worked Well: Staying out of the box
Utah only allowed one shorthanded situation during the game, which the Grizzlies' PK unit aptly took care of. This is what we like to see: staying out of the box to create more offensive chances.

What Could Have Been Better: Defense
We aren't sure if the defense was off or if O'Keefe was just having a really bad night. Everyone looked pretty decent out on the ice . . . until Ontario scored. We're going to let Colley take care of this one.

Who Made the Difference: James Sixsmith
Instrumental in all three Utah goals, James Sixsmith was clearly the difference maker of the game. With one goal, two assists, and 4 SOG, Sixsmith was able to get the boys on the board 3 times and earn himself the 3rd star of the game performance, showing once again that he is the "goal spark plug" of the team. Amazing job.


Stars of the Game:

1. ONT - G. Hogeboom
2. ONT - T. Kraus
3. UTA - J. Sixsmith


Additional Notes:

> Two Grizzlies had multipoint nights tonight: James Sixsmith (1g, 2a), and Peter Aston (1g, 1a).
> James Sixsmith, Tom May, and Peter Aston continue their scoring streaks.