OJR score four unanswered to best the Vikings

After a six-point weekend, the Ontario Jr. Reign looked to continue their run of form, against the Ventura Vikings on Saturday night. The score was close for most of the match, however four unanswered goals in the third period pushed Ontario over the edge for a 5-1 win. 

Josh Henson got his eighth start of the season in search of his fifth win, as he entered the game with a .864 save percentage.    

Ontario applied early pressure to the Vikings and was able to earn power play opportunities just before the halfway point in the first period.  

With a five-on-three man advantage, the Jr. Reign benefited from the extra space in the attacking zone by peppering the goaltender with shots. Mason Geng eventually broke through, unleashing a rocket from the left circle to give Ontario a 1-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last very long as the Vikings responded in under a minute, due to a deflection in front of the net to tie the game at 1-1. 

For the rest of the first period, both teams generated scoring chances, but neither were able to take advantage, leaving the score tied at 1-1 by the end of the first period.

In the second period, it was the Jr. Reign on the front foot once again, in pursuit of the go-ahead goal.  

However, with just over seven minutes remaining, Domenick McInenly replaced Henson for what head coach Jeremy Blumes described as "precautionary reasons." Henson saved nine of the 10 shots he faced while on the ice. 

No blood was drawn in the second period, despite the Jr. Reign having two power play opportunities and out-shooting the Vikings 17-5.  

Morry Sheynin scored the go-ahead goal for Ontario in under four minutes of play in the final period. Sheynin forced a turnover in the neutral zone, crossed the blue line and sniped the puck into the back of the net from the high slot, making the score 2-1. 

Two minutes later Luke Cannon scored a short-handed goal with the help of Christopher Lai. Lai chased down a cleared puck and dropped the puck off for a trailing Cannon to put away. 

Lai added a goal of his own, with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, Against the run of play, a deflected pass from Eddie Cochrane found Lai’s stick in the right circle, and his wrist shot ended up in the upper left corner of the net. 

While on the power play, Jesiah Bennett put the game to rest within the final two minutes of the game. Bennett collected a rebound in front of the net and beat the goaltender. 

With zeros on the clock, the scoreboard read 5-1 for the Ontario Jr. Reign. 

McInenly earned his sixth win of the season, saving all nine of the shots he faced. Lai led the squad by earning three points, putting his season total to 39.

Next up for the Jr. Reign is an important road trip from Jan. 31- Feb. 2,  against the Lake Tahoe Lakers. You can keep up to date and watch those games on Flohockey.tv 

The Jr. Reign do return to home ice on Friday Feb. 7 at 8:45 pm and Saturday Feb. 8 at 8:30 pm for a two game series with the Fresno Monsters. Be at the Center Ice Arena as you wouldn’t want to miss this highly anticipated showdown. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets - Ontario Jr Reign.