Larocque-Wolfe Hat Trick Powers Jr Reign 6-3 Comeback Win
The Ontario Jr Reign (5-4-0) defeated the Long Beach Shredders (3-4-0) by a score of 6-3 on Saturday night. The win places the Jr Reign atop the Pacific division standings along with Bakersfield and Las Vegas.
Ontario found themselves down big early in this contest. Three different Shredders found the back of the net before the end of the first period to put Long Beach up 3-0 heading into the first intermission.
Entering the second period, the OJR were looking for a spark to get them on the board and back in this game. They did not have to wait long as Chris Lai found Kaiden Laroque Wolfe 36 seconds into the period to cut the deficit to just two. A Nicholas Fiolleau power play goal and the first of three Kaedin Larocque-Wolfe goals in this game evened the score at 3-3 at the end of two periods.
With Ontario outshooting Long Beach 32-11 through the first two periods, it was a matter of when, not if, the Jr Reign would be able to break through.
In the third period, Larocque-Wolfe gave the Jr Reign their first lead of the night and completed the hat trick, his second against the Shredders this season, with back-to-back goals in the first four minutes of the period. Tristen Friedman, with an assist from Cooper Kantola and Doyle, added another insurance goal to make the score 6-3 in favor of the Jr Reign.
Credit should also be given to Ontario’s entire team defense and penalty kill unit, limiting the Shredders’ offense in the second and third periods, holding them to a total of 11 shots throughout the entire game.
Larocque-Wolfe led all scorers in this game with three goals to give him 13 on the season. He tallied a pair of assists as well. With that offensive outburst, Laroque Wolfe leads the USPHL in goal-scoring.
Mark your calendars - It’s Pucks and Paws on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3:55 pm, when the Ontario Jr Reign look to wipe out the Long Beach Shredders at Ontario Center Ice Arena. Support our furry Friends of Upland Animal Shelter!