Around the League: ECHL 3/1/10

The Ontario Reign are on a mission.

After digging themselves into a hole in the middle of the season, the coach instructed the team to move past their slump and concentrate on the playoffs. And they did, winning six straight in a row and pulling off their longest winning streak of the season.

Right now the Reign sit a point above Las Vegas in the standings and are the hottest thing on ECHL ice. The Reign haven't been able to win back to back weekend games all season, but over the past two weekends, they've swept their opponents to keep their streak alive. Ontario next match is particularly important; they'll be playing the Las Vegas Wranglers, the same team they've pulled ahead of in the standings.

The next weekend is definitely one to watch for the Pacific Division. We're even interested to see the outcome.

And now for the rest of your ECHL headlines . . .

American Conference
EAST:

Goaltender Andy Chiodo of the Elmira Jackals (31-19-3-2) has been reassigned to the AHL.

The Reading Royals (27-24-1-3) hit a new team record last week: a 7 game road losing streak.

Special Olympics New Jersey athletes skated with the Trenton Devils (24-23-4-5) last Tuesday.

Johnstown Chiefs (15-34-5-3) won their first home game in the last five on Saturday, but lost when they hit the road on Sunday.


NORTH:

Matt Pierce of the Cincinnati Cyclones (36-19-1-2) tied a club record this week of 7 goals in the opening marker of the contest.

The Kalamazoo Wings (31-17-4-3) are currently in the midst of a double-digit unbeaten streak; they have gone unbeaten in their last 11 home games.

The Toledo Walleye (29-24-1-3) recently broke their record for the top professional attendance season.

The Wheeling Nailers (27-27-2-3) are having a little trouble at the end of the season; they are currently 1-7-2-0 in their last 10.


SOUTH:

The South Carolina Stingrays' (35-15-5-6) Shane Connelly is the Reebok Hockey ECHL goaltender of the week.

Kevin Baker of the Florida Everblades (30-19-4-5) tallied his first hat trick of the season last week with a game winning goal against South Carolina.

The Charlotte Checkers (30-19-3-3) held their first ever midnight game last week, but were shut out 7-0 on home ice by the Walleye.

Sam Roberts of the Gwinnett Gladiators (26-24-4-2) is the top points leader of defenseman in the ECHL with 34. His fellow Gladiator Drew Paris comes in 2nd with 33.


National Conference
PACIFIC:

The Bakersfield Condors (30-19-4-1) have held the top spot in their division for over 20 consecutive weeks.

Mark Pavli answered a few questions for the Stockton Thunder (25-22-2-6) this week. Woo!

The Ontario Reign (24-25-3-4) are currently on a 6 game winning streak; that's their longest win streak this season.

The Las Vegas Wranglers (24-25-4-2) won two out of three in their weekend series against Stockton.


WEST:

Richard Bachman and Evan Barlow have returned to the Idaho Steelheads (37-12-1-4) from the AHL.

Defensman Jimmy Sharrow has returned to the Victoria Salmon Kings (30-21-4-2) this week after a stint in the AHL.

James Sixsmith of the Utah Grizzlies (26-23-2-5) was named ECHL Player of the Week for February 22-28.

The Alaska Aces (26-26-3-2) were swept by Idaho in their series this weekend.