ONTARIO, Calif. -- Kyle Burroughs scored the overtime game-winning goal in Ontario’s 4-3 victory over rival San Diego Gulls at Toyota Arena on Saturday night.
“It’s a resilient group,” Burroughs said in postgame interviews. “We bend but we don’t break. Obviously there’s things we can clean up - obviously giving up the three goal lead. But when push comes to shove we’re going to show up, we’re going to be in the trenches for each other. And we had to scratch and claw for that one.”
The Reign (7-4-1-0) traveled down south and played the Gulls (4-4-3-0) yesterday in San Diego, but Ontario took the 6-4 loss.
Whenever Ontario and San Diego play one another there are always exhilarating large crowds wearing huge grins that widen whenever there’s a fight.
And tonight wouldn’t be any different. The crowd roared as multiple scuffles had helmets ripped off, punches throw and words exchanged.
Glenn Gawdin found the back of the net following a pass from Andre Lee 8:58 into the opening period and less than three minutes later Gawdin scored again, with help from Cole Guttman and Jakub Dvořák.
The second period consisted of success on both sides of the ice. Aatu Jämsen found his fourth goal of the season, giving Ontario the 3-0 lead before Jan Myšák and Noah Warren’s shots cut San Diego’s deficit down to one.
With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Gawdin glided down the ice, knowing he was one goal away from a hat trick, although completing that feat wasn't his priority.
Winning the game after being ahead 3-0 was the focal point according to Gawdin.
Gawdin’s shot was interfered with, lending him a penalty shot. He missed the penalty shot but the Reign still had the one-point lead with practically no time left.
But where there’s a will, there’s a way.
San Diego took goalie Ville Husso off the net and with the advantage of an extra attacker, like clockwork, Tim Washe scored the game-tying goal 18:29 into the third period.
Burroughs' overtime game-winning goal gave Ontario the win, moving them up to third place in the AHL Pacific Division.
When asked about the recent addition of Burroughs, Ontario coach Andrew Lord said:
“It’s a game-changer. Culturally, in the room he’s speaking up a bunch already, this early on … His poise with the puck, his defending, his intensity - he does so many things well. He’s a great leader.”
Ontario goalie Erik Portillo finished with 29 saves, extending his winning streak to four games.
Ontario is set to face the Calgary Wranglers (6-4-2-0) for a two-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m respectively.