Ontario Reign: Three takeaways from 2-1 loss to Colorado

Goal Breakdown:

First period:

ONT: PP Lias Andersson (28), ASST: TJ Tynan (66)

Second period: 

COL: Alex Galchenyuk (16), ASST: Jean-Luc Foudy (23), Sam Malinski (1)

Third period: 

COL: PP Sampo Ranta (10), ASST: Jean-Luc Foudy (24), Alex Galchenyuk (21)

Stats

Goals:

COL: 2

ONT: 1

Shots:

COL: 25

ONT: 28

Power-plays:

COL: 1/4

ONT: 1/5

Here are the three takeaways from Sunday’s 2-1 loss:

Lias Andersson records his 28th

If there was one bright spot for the Ontario Reign, it came in the first period. The Reign had a 5-on-3 power play late in the first period with the game scoreless. After TJ Tynan and Lias Andersson passed the puck to one another behind the net, Andersson quickly went for a stuff attempt at the left post to give the Reign a 1-0.

It was Andersson’s second power play of the week against Colorado. His 28th goal of the year and 13th on the power play was the lone tally in the contest for the Reign.

Alex Laferriere looks impressive

While he didn’t record any points, Alex Laferriere, I thought was one of the best players for the Ontario Reign. Laferriere made his pro debut on Friday on the fourth line and had a shot, unluckily, go off his leg and into the back of the Reign net. Yesterday Marco Sturm put him on the first line with Tynan and Andersson and that line looked great. Throughout the game, Laferriere looked good with his skating and was making plays. He even had two good scoring chances but was denied by Eagles netminder Keith Kinkaid. He had a game-high five shots on goal.

Inconsistency

After losing ten straight, the Ontario Reign followed that up by winning three straight games. Just like for most of the year, consistency has been an issue. After winning three straight games, the Reign now have lost three straight games. While their magic number is three points, they will need some help. The Reign don’t play until Friday, so if they hope to clinch a playoff spot by then, they’ll need two San Jose Barracuda losses in regulation or a Barracuda loss in regulation and overtime or shootout. In addition to that, they only have a one-point lead on the Bakersfield Condors for fifth place. The Reign put themselves in this position and now will need to rely on assistance from other teams to help them clinch a playoff spot.

UP NEXT: The Ontario Reign will return to action on Friday as they take on the Abbotsford Canucks. The game starts at 7 pm PT and can be seen on AHLTV.