ONTARIO Calif., -- Pheonix Copley had 27 saves as the Ontario Reign shutout the Coachella Valley Firebirds 3-0 on Saturday night at Toyota Arena.
The Reign committed zero penalties but went 0-for-3 on power play - although the advantage wasn’t needed as they continuously won the 5-on-5 matchup.
“He (Copley) was very solid the last few games he started.” coach Marco Sturm said during postgame interviews. “He (Copley) gave us a comfort we probably needed right from the start.”
Charles Hudon’s 18th assist of the season aided in Taylor Ward getting the offense moving with six minutes remaining in the opening period, putting Ontario up 1-0.
The second period was similar to the first with the common denominator being a lack of offense from the Firebirds and a dominant defensive front from the Reign.
“Defense first, build from the back,” Jack Millar said when asked what has gone well for the team as they’ve now won three straight. “(And) just play a real sound, structural game. Let them make the mistakes and capitalize when we can.”
After a quiet 16 minutes came and went in the second period, Jack Studnicka scored his 10th goal of the season with help from Millar and Joe Hicketts, giving the Reign a 2-0 lead.
Jeff Malott scored an empty-net goal to add insult to injury against the Firebirds in the third period. Hudon had his second assist of the night, setting up Malott to find the back of the net.
Sturm said this was one of the best 60-minute efforts this season, it was a very system-orientated game in which they stayed patient.
With this win the Reign jumped ahead into second place in the AHL Pacific Division with a record of 24-13-1-1 and 50 points.
The Reign will have three days off before they match up with the Colorado Eagles at Toyota Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m.