ONTARIO, Calif. -- An empty net for the Ontario Reign with 2:54 left in the game put the nail in the coffin, giving the Abbotsford Canucks a two-point lead - and ultimately the 5-3 win Saturday night in Ontario.
“Great game, I mean look at their (Abbotsford) lineup,” coach Marco Sturm said in postgame interviews. “I thought we did pretty good. I think we won the first period, they won the second, and then the third, those little details matter…those little mistakes can’t happen. They can’t happen. And we just had one or two too many unfortunately and that’s what good teams do. But I’m glad we had a chance to play a game like that, to kind of prepare us (for) what we’ll face (in the playoffs).”
Glenn Gawdin started off the opening period with a bang, netting his 26th goal just 3:34 into the game. Taylor Ward - who is back in the lineup after he was recalled by the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday - and Martin Chromiak were credited with assists.
About four minutes later, Linus Karlsson tied the game 1-1, getting the put-back shot past Pheonix Copley.
Andre Lee put the Reign back on top with his sixth goal of the season, with help from Jack Studnicka.
But just two minutes later, Abbotsford’s Victor Mancini made the score even once again.
Both teams were chirpy from the beginning of the game, getting into multiple scuffles. None of which were shocking considering they were fighting for the two seed, so of course it was going to be a dog fight.
"Our mentality and theirs too was to treat it like a playoff game," Lee said. "It was a lot of physicality and a lot of emotions too. So I think it was a good game for getting into that rhythm."
The Reign had a very lackluster second period, spending most of it in the defensive zone. And looking exhausted because of it. With only four shots on goal, the Reign didn’t see much offensive action.
The Canucks had full control of the puck in the second. Although they only took six shots, the puck somehow always found its way back to their stick.
Going into the third with second place on the line, both teams came out with the energy they didn’t quite have in the second.
Akito Hirose gave Abbotsford their first lead of the game after finding the back of the net 4:39 into the third.
With help from Jacob Doty, Kaleb Lawrence scored a goal for the third game in a row, evening the score 3-3 and the crowd was roaring.
“I think he (Lawrence) took a little bit more leadership,” coach Sturm said. “Also more pride in his role, in his game as well. And again, we need him to. So I’m glad for him and happy for him too, that he stepped up. And also recognizing, a little bit, the opportunity he has right now.”
But the crowd’s energy went down almost immediately when Max Sasson scored 1:13 after Lawrence, giving the Canucks a 4-3 lead with less than four minutes left in the game.
Ontario decided to take Copley from the net, leaving it wide open and Abbotsford took advantage as Arshdeep Bains scored an empty-net goal, finalizing the score 5-3.
With this loss, the Reign fall to the third seed, and will face either the San Jose Barracuda or the Calgary Wranglers in the first round of playoffs.
Due to Disney on Ice being booked at Toyota Arena, round one will be played at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles.
“We’re gonna stay positive,” coach Sturm said when asked about the playoffs. “We’re going to get ready. It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be two really good opponents. But again, something new at Crypto (Arena) too and hopefully it’s going to be exciting. And hopefully we’re going to have enough fans too, to get us going.”
Game one of the playoffs will be on Thursday, April 24 in Los Angeles. Time is to be announced.
