Reign Rough Up Stars with Playoff Physicality as Texas Drops 4-1 Decision

(Credit: Logan Foust/Texas Stars)

Flinging his stick into the face of Texas Stars forward Chase Wheatcroft, Ontario Reign defenseman Joseph Cecconi was sent to the penalty box for the second time in the final period, getting called for a four-minute double minor for high-sticking. It was Texas' chance for a late equalizer.

Power play struggles for the Stars continued into their final chance of the game, despite the two-man advantage, Texas could not overcome the Reign's penalty kill. Two late shorthanded empty net goals sealed the 4-1 win for Ontario Tuesday night. 

"I thought both teams showed up on time, and it was a hard-fought game for 60 minutes," Justin Hryckowian said. "They came out on top this time, but two good playoff teams go head-to-head." 

Just as their first power play of the night was set to expire, Ontario found the back of the net for the second time with 5:20 left in regulation to put them in a comfortable 2-0 lead over Texas. Unrelenting all night, Hryckowian finally found the back of the night to put the Stars back into the game. 

Tied for the second-best power play unit in the AHL, Texas could not find a way to find the net on their six opportunities of the night. On their final opportunity of the night, Magnus Hellberg was pulled to give the Stars a 6-on-4 advantage. Still, Ontario held Texas to just two shots on their final chance, completely locking down one of the most explosive offenses in the league. 

"We played hard and we pushed back, and they're a heavy team, much like their parent club," head coach Neil Graham said. "I like being in these kind of matchups. It's good for our group to be in tight, tough, hard, checking games and now we can learn."

The Reigh physically abused Texas all night, drawing multiple penalties and multiple hits. Six Stars were left either writhing in pain on the ice, on the bench or sent to the locker room. 

Kyle McDonald was injured in the corner, holding his knee, which drew a stoppage of play. Kyle Looft and a trainer helped McDonald to the locker room; he did not return. 

Already sent to the sin bin early in the game, Reign forward Jacob Doty quickly became the villain inside the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in the opening period. Doty rocketed Luke Krys into the boards so hard his helmet was flung off while he stayed on the ice in pain. 

Just as the final minute of the opening period commenced, Alex Petrovic met Doty just as he jumped out of the penalty box. Petrovic immediately dropped his gloves, and the pair went at it and were both sent to their respective locker rooms early before finishing their penalty in the second. 

As Doty returned to the ice early in the second period, boos from the home crowd rained down on the ice as he skated back to the Ontario bench.  

Near the end of the middle frame, Antiono Stranges was the Reign's next victim on their hit list, checking him into the boards behind their offensive zone. Stranges was on the ice for a moment before popping back up to quickly head to the bench to get checked out. 

Later in the third period, Curtis McKenzie was blown up at the offensive blue line after Cecconi elbowed him as McKenzie was skating full speed up the middle of the ice. 

"Third week of March. So everyone's banged up," Graham said. " Everyone's playing through something and so is our opposition."

Texas will hit the road once again, traveling to the windy city to face the Chicago Wolves Friday at 7 P.M. at the Allstate Center in Rosemont, Illinois.  

Tonight's lines
Stranges-Hryckowian-Lind
Blümel-Hughes-McKenzie
Pettersen-Hyry-Wheatcroft
Seminoff-Becker-McDonald

Capobianco-Krys
Looft-Petrovic
Karow-White

Hellberg

Injuries, scratches and notes 

Ertel, Kyrou, Romano (scratch) 

Tonight's attendance was 5,524.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Ontario - March 19 2025