Stars Fall to Reign in First Shutout of the Season

(Credit: Mike Zitek/Ontario Reign)

Head coach Neil Graham remarked before puck drop that the Ontario Reign were going to be the Stars most formidable opponent this season.

Ontario lived up to Graham's assessment, dominating the Texas Stars in a 4-0 shutout loss Friday night at the Toyota Center in Ontario, California.

Despite the Stars outshooting the Reign 12 to their five, the home team proved to be more efficient in the first period, scoring two goals just two minutes from each other.

Ontario opened up scoring in the middle of the second after winning a face-off and quickly skating down catching the Stars defense off-guard. Gunning down towards Remi Porier, Reign forward Kaleb Lawernce passed to linesmate Aatu Jamsen on a short wrister, hitting the top left of the net.

Behind Poirier’s net, a pressured Micheal Karow attempted to pass the puck around the boards. Instead of hitting a Stars teammate, Karow’s pass was intercepted by Ontario forward Samuel Fagemo.

Feeling pressure from Justin Hryckowian, Fagemo shot towards Poirier by the corner. Hitting the goaltenders skate, the puck deflected right into the net to give the Reign a quick 2-0 lead in the opening period.

The Stars were unable to take advantage of their usually effective power play unit on their two opportunities in the second period with both opportunities being neutralized by the Ontario’s penalty kill unit

Matěj Blümel had the Stars only scoring opportunity in the second, after a quick dash by Antonio Stranges passing the puck to Christain Kyrou. Kyrou’s pass connected with a hesitant Blümel; his low shot was saved by the legs of a fallen Ontario player in the crease.

Ontario continued their dominance, crushing any offensive movement by Texas in the final frame holding them to just seven shots.

Extending their lead, a weak pass by Stranges set up a two-on-one for the Reign. Tyler Madden eyeing his fellow linesmate Fagemo for the pass. On a slapshot, Fagemo found the back of the net for the second time to bring the Stars down three.

Even with a long power play with a brief 58 second 5-on-3 opportunity, the Stars were unable to capitalize on the advantage, only shooting twice in that span.

Making things worse, Hryckowian, Texas’ top-goal scorer this season attempting to block a pass went down on the ice writhing with pain. With no stoppage of play, Hryckowain struggled to make it to the bench, crawling his way there. He did not return for the rest of the game.

To add salt upon the wounds, an undefended Lawrence casually skating up the right side met the puck for an easy wrist shot goal. After some discussion with the officials, the goal was confirmed ending a difficult night for the Stars.

Texas hits the road to face the two-time defending Western Conference Champions, Coachella Valley Firebirds tomorrow night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California.

Tonight’s lines
McKenzie-Hyry-Blümel
Stranges-Hryckowian-Lind
Pettersen-Hughes-Wheatcroft
Romano-Seminoff-Becker

Capobianco-Bichsel
Looft-Krys
Karow-Kyrou

Poirier

Injuries, scratches and notes

Petrovic (callup)
Hellberg (injury, day-to-day)
Arcuri, White, McDonald (scratch)

Tonight’s attendance was 8,426

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Ontario - November 29 2024