OJR earn 4 of 6 points in series against the Henderson Force

On the road for a three-game series against the Henderson Force, the Ontario Jr. Reign looked to get back in the win column after their first loss against the Roughnecks. The Jr. Reign walked away with four points, winning the series 2-1.

Goaltender Domenik McInenly started Game 1, as both sides tested the waters early in the first period.

Neither team was able to open the scoring until Jeshiah Bennet forced a turnover in the Jr. Reign attacking zone. The puck fell to Broc Chick, who slid it to Chris Lai for a wide-open shot in front of the net. Lai beat the goalie stick side for his fifth goal of the season and the game’s opening goal.

About five minutes later, the Jr. Reign forced a turnover in the neutral zone and dumped the puck across the blue line. After getting caught in the boards, the puck found the stick of Denver Craig on the left side of the zone, where he deked the goalie and went top shelf. The score was 2-0 with just over four minutes left in the first period.

Both teams played out the rest of the period, which ended 2-0.

The second period mirrored the first, with Ontario pressing for another goal to put the game away. Despite multiple chances on target, Henderson’s goaltender kept the puck out.

Momentum shifted with just under nine minutes left when the Force had a 1-on-1 breakaway, which was interrupted by a diving Jr. Reign player who was called for a trip, resulting in a penalty shot.

McInenly stood tall as the Force player came down the ice and across the blue line. The attacker shot from inside the right circle, but McInenly made a routine glove save to keep the two-goal advantage.

Ontario regained momentum, creating more chances, but couldn’t capitalize. The period ended 2-0, with Ontario outshooting Henderson 20-12.

The third period saw the game slow down as Ontario focused on protecting its lead, while Henderson pushed for a goal.

With just over three minutes remaining, Henderson pulled its goalie for a 6-on-4 power play advantage. However, a missed pass ended up in the Force’s own net, giving Ontario a short-handed empty-net goal.

Ontario skated out the rest of the time for a 3-0 victory in Game 1. McInenly earned his second win of the season and the first shutout for the Jr. Reign.

Game 2 was a goaltender’s showcase, with Nikolas Charles in net for Ontario.

The first period was open as both teams created chances early, but neither side seemed threatening. The Jr. Reign had four power plays but failed to convert, and Henderson couldn’t capitalize on two power plays of their own. The period ended scoreless, with Charles stopping all 11 shots he faced, while Ontario fired 13 shots on target.

The second period remained tightly contested until Kayden Buffalo scored his first goal of the season just past the halfway mark. After a faceoff win in the left circle, the puck cycled around to Mason Geng, whose shot from the point was deflected into the net by Buffalo.

Ontario created more chances, but the period ended with the Jr. Reign holding a 1-0 lead, outshooting the Force 17-9.

Henderson came out strong in the third, searching for an equalizer. Ontario was penalized three times, but the penalty-kill units were flawless.

In the final five minutes, the Force tried to pull their goalie but couldn’t gain control, as Ontario kept the play in the attacking zone. The Jr. Reign held on for a 1-0 win.

Charles made 35 saves, earning back-to-back shutouts for Ontario. 

Game 3 was an eight-goal thriller, with Charles back in net.

Both teams created chances early, but the first goal came when Ontario went on a power play at the halfway point of the first period. Jesiah Bennett scored during a scramble in front of the net.

Henderson quickly responded, tying the game two minutes later. The period ended 1-1.

In the second, the Force took a 2-1 lead with under four minutes to play.

The third period saw the game open up. Henderson scored two quick goals, including a short-handed effort, to make it 4-1.

Ontario pulled closer with Darian Sinclair blasting a shot from the right circle into the top corner. The score was 4-2 with 16 minutes remaining.

The game turned chippy, leading to multiple ejections for both teams.

After the dust settled, Ontario pressed for another goal, and Luke Cannon set up Buffalo for a power-play goal to make it 4-3 with nine minutes left.

Ontario pulled Charles in the final minutes, but the Force scored on the empty net to seal a 5-3 victory.

The Jr. Reign won the road series 2-1.

Next up, Ontario heads to Ice in Paradise showcase in Goleta, California, to face the San Diego Sabres on Friday, Oct. 12. Puck drops at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Ice In Paradise.