Ontario Reign: Three Takeaways From 4-2 Victory Over Tucson

The Ontario Reign , led by Jeff Malott and their penalty kill, ended their five-game losing streak with a 4-2 Victory over the Tucson Roadrunners.

Same time tomorrow? #ReignTrain I #ONTvsTUC pic.twitter.com/vQwpGKQBBL Goal Breakdown First period: TUC: Curtis Douglas (4), ASST: Ryan McGregor (6), Julian Lutz (6) ONT: Glenn Gawdin (16), ASST: Jeff Malott (26), Taylor Ward (12) TUC: Sam Lipkin (10), ASST: Travis Barron (7), Kevin Connauton (10) Second period: ONT: Jeff Malott (19), ASST: Samuel Fagemo (11) ONT: Luke Rowe (3), ASST: Quinn Olson (1), Francesco Pinelli (12) Third period: ONT: PP Jeff Malott (20), ASST: Samuel Fagemo (12), Caleb Jones (13) Stats Goals: ONT: 4 TUC: 2 Shots: ONT: 33 TUC: 25 Power plays: ONT: 1/5 TUC: 0/4 Here are the three takeaways from last nights 4-2 victory: Second period turnaround All season long, the second period for Ontario has been poor, whether its giving up goals, taking penalties, or poor effort.

Its been the Achilles heel of the team.

Last night was a step in the right direction.

From the moment the puck dropped on the second period, the Reign were the better team.

They were winning every puck battle and constantly having good offensive zone shifts from every line.

They Outshot Tucson 15-9, and while their power play didnt connect in the second, they had several great looks that were saved.

They moved the puck well, which led to Jeff Malott and Luke Rowe scoring huge goals 71 seconds apart.

This is the second period the Regin have needed for a long while, and its going to be needed night in and night out down the stretch.

That Sammy/Jeff combo? We like that MALOTT #ReignTrain I #ONTvsTUC pic.twitter.com/4PkcuXbKhM LUKE ROWE JUST DID THAT.

#ReignTrain I #ONTvsTUC pic.twitter.com/r0pznQvFJ1 Depth comes up huge The Reign have been plagued by the injury bug with several guys still out in Angus Booth and Martin Chromiak .

The Reigns depth shined bright last night.

Taylor Ward was buzzing throughout the game and contributed with an assist on Glenn Gawdins goal.

Quinn Olson, making his AHL season debut, recorded the primary assist on Luke Rowes goal.

Olson played an outstanding game.

He was constantly flying up and down the ice and very aggressive on the forecheck, he was very noticeable.

Jack Millar , usually paired with Joe Hicketts , was paired with Caleb Jones, was once again a shutdown defenseman.

It doesnt matter who you pair with him, he stands out 5v5 and the penalty kill.

The Reign getting this depth scoring without two regulars in the lineup is huge considering the amount of injuries the Reign have had to overcome lately.

The three veterans show up again Jeff Malott, Pheonix Copley , and Samuel Fagemo were incredible.

They were the three best players up and down both rosters.

Copley stopped 23 of 25 shots but made his biggest save on Cameron Hebigs Tucsons all-star representative short-handed breakaway bid with four minutes remaining in regulation to preserve the Reigns 3-2 lead.

Copley has played well since Portillo went down with injury, but lately hes been overall their best player, constantly keeping them in games with timely saves.

HUGE SAVE BY PHEONIX STOPLEY #ReignTrain I #ONTvsTUC pic.twitter.com/2CYpcvuWZk Jeff Malott has played well this entire season and constantly does the little things that make him a go-to player for Marco Sturm.

He added two huge goals and has probably been the Reigns most consistent player throughout the season.

Samuel Fagemo was everywhere in the offensive zone tonight and was close to scoring on several chances.

He is looking like the Samuel Fagemo who represented Ontario in Coachella Valley.

Hes going to be filling the net with pucks very soon, he looks like that top-six winger the Kings drafted.

NOTES: *Fagemo led all skaters on either team with seven shots and added two assists.

He is on a three-game point streak with a goal and three assists.

*Rowe scored his third goal of the season.

He has goals in back-to-back games and three points in two games.

*Gawdin scored his 16th goal of the season in the first period.

He also added a fight in the first after he defended Millar after a hit thrown against the rookie defenseman.

Tied it up.

GAWDS DID #ReignTrain I #ONTvsTUC pic.twitter.com/gcb8Rq01Po *Malott added two goals and an assist for three points.

Malott has goals in back-to-back games and has three overall in that span.

He hit the 20-goal mark in the AHL once again.

Its the fourth time he reached 20 goals in a season.

Jeff Malott is back for seconds.

#ReignTrain I #ONTvsTUC pic.twitter.com/0EQ6CNGlP6 *Olson made his season debut tonight for Ontario and contributed with an assist.

*Pinelli contributed with an assist and is on a three-game point streak with one goal and three assists during that stretch.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign are back in action Wednesday, March 12th, in a back-to-back vs Tucson.

Puck drop is at 6:30 PM Pacific and can be viewed on FloSports! This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission..

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