Next man up mentality as OJR go 1-1 on the week

After a rough week in Fresno, the Ontario Jr. Reign regrouped as they took on the Long Beach Bombers and I-5 rivals, the San Diego Sabers. It was a “next man up” week for the Jr. Reign due to multiple injuries and suspensions, which led Ontario to go 1-1 on the week.

The Jr. Reign made the quick road trip to Long Beach for their first meeting this season with the Bombers.

Ethan Sellwood got the nod to go between the posts, marking his second start of the season thus far.

The first period started very transitionally, with both teams getting the puck deep into their attacking zones and putting shots on net.

Long Beach was the first team to break through just under nine minutes into play. In a two-on-two situation, the Bombers capitalized on a blocked shot from an Ontario defenseman and found the back of the net.

For the remainder of the period, neither team was able to add to the box score, ending the first period 1–0 for the Bombers.

The shots on target were nearly identical, while the Jr. Reign recorded 14 compared to Long Beach’s 13.

The Jr. Reign came out of the first intermission with offensive intensity, putting three quick shots on goal in the opening two minutes.

Ontario’s offensive prowess paid off as they drew penalties, giving them a 4-on-3 man advantage.

Jack Forrester leveled the match after the Jr. Reign moved the puck around off a faceoff from the left circle. The open ice allowed Christopher Lai to take a shot from the slot, which Forrester redirected on frame for the equalizer.

With 16 minutes remaining in the period, the score was tied at one apiece.

The power play units weren’t done yet, as defenseman Sean Chernyak scored his first goal of the season. Chernyak received a pass in the right circle from Darian Sinclair and buried a wrist shot past the keeper for the go-ahead goal with five minutes to go.

Sellwood didn’t have much to do during the second period, facing only six shots on goal, while his teammates peppered the Bombers' goaltender with 21 shots on target.

The third period was more competitive, with the Bombers testing the Ontario defense early on.

Eddie Cochrane then picked the pocket of a Long Beach defender at center ice, giving him a one-on-one breakaway with the goalie, whom he beat glove side. With just over 14 minutes left in the final period, the scoreboard read 3-1 for OJR.

A minute later, Luke Cannon scored on an open net as the Long Beach goalie was out of position, trying to cover a loose puck. His goal extended Ontario’s lead to 4-1 with 13 minutes remaining.

Long Beach capitalized on a power play opportunity to bring the score to 4-2, with 10 minutes left on the clock.

It was too little, too late for the Bombers, as penalties and constant offensive pressure from Ontario kept them from getting back into the game. The final score was 4-2 in favor of the Jr. Reign.

Sellwood earned his second win of the season, making 30 saves out of 32 shots on goal. It also marked the first win for interim head coach Coby Downs.

The Jr. Reign returned to home ice to face their I-5 rivals, the San Diego Sabers.

Ryan Hicks made his Ontario Jr. Reign debut in the blue paint, and Dawson Williams also made his OJR debut. Williams was no stranger to the Sabers, having played five games for them during the 2023-2024 season.

The opening period was very defensive, as both teams came into the match tied for third place in the Pacific Division and were cautious not to concede first.

Ontario had two power play opportunities within the first 10 minutes but couldn’t find the back of the net, as the Sabers' penalty kill unit cleared their zone.

San Diego had two power play chances directly after killing their own penalties. The Jr. Reign managed to handle the first penalty, but the Sabers scored on the second. As San Diego moved the puck around, a deflection in front of the net landed on a Sabers attacker’s stick, and he nailed it home.

The power-play goal put the Sabers ahead 1-0 with just over a minute to play in the first period. Both sides entered the intermission with 10 shots on goal.

Ontario began the second period on the front foot offensively, seeking the equalizer.

However, San Diego added another goal to their tally with nine minutes remaining in the period. The Jr. Reign were pinned in their defensive zone, and a Sabers forward collected the puck behind the net, wrapped it around, and snuck it across the goal line.

Ontario finally got on the scoresheet as Mason Geng, amid a crowd in front of the net, picked up a rebound off a Forrester shot, making it 2-1.

San Diego extended their lead to 3-1 less than two minutes later, with a shot from the blue line into the top shelf.

Despite being down, Ontario outshot the Sabers 19-13 in the second period.

In the final period, Lai scored just under two minutes in. Tyler Huston centered a pass in front of the Sabers' net, and Lai tapped it in.

The score was now 3-2, with just over 18 minutes left to play.

The Jr. Reign had two more power play opportunities later in the period but couldn't convert with the man advantage.

As time became a factor, the Jr. Reign pulled Hicks, leading to two empty-net goals for San Diego. The game ended with a final score of 5-2.

The Ontario Jr. Reign hit the road for a game on Friday, Nov. 15, against the Ventura Vikings at 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss any of the action; you can watch the game on FloHockey.tv.

After the road game, the  Ontario Jr. Reign’s next home match is Saturday, Nov. 16 against the Colorado Fighting Elk. Be at the Center Ice Arena as puck drops at 8:30pm. Get your tickets today at Tickets - Ontario Jr Reign.