Power play units shine as OJR best the Ventura Vikings

The Ontario Jr. Reign took a two-hour bus ride to the Iceoplex in Simi Valley for their bout against the Ventura Vikings. This was their only game of the week, as their home match-up with the Colorado Fighting Elk was canceled. The power-play units were lights out and reinforced an 8-2 Jr. Reign win.

Ryan Hicks got his second start since joining the Jr. Reign, as he sought his first win with the club.

As the first period started, it was the Ontario Jr. Reign set the pace early on by getting the puck deep and putting shots on net.

In just under seven minutes, Christopher Lai was the first one on the scoresheet. Lai picked up the puck on the edge of the attacking zone and nailed home a wrist shot from the left circle.

Hicks had his number called a few times during the first period, including two great one-on-one saves and a two-on-one glove save against the Vikings’ forwards.

Mason Geng added another goal with just over two minutes left in the first period. Captain Adam Layden collected the puck in the neutral zone and had a two-on-one with Geng against a Vikings defender. After a give-and-go between the two players, Layden’s shot was saved, but the rebound fell to Geng’s stick for the put-back.

After a late penalty to Ventura, the rest of the clock was skated out, and the scoreboard read 2-0 for OJR after the first period.

Just 30 seconds into the second period, Geng found his second of the night on the power play. For the second time, it was Layden at the point, sliding a pass into space for Geng in the left circle to beat the goalie stick-side.

Maintaining possession in the attacking zone, Alec Boucher added another goal to Ontario’s total. After a shot on target, Boucher capitalized on a scramble for a loose puck in front of the net, giving the Jr. Reign a three-goal lead. This marked Boucher’s first goal of the season.

The Vikings didn’t help themselves, repeatedly committing penalties, allowing Ontario to dominate the zone.

Ontario capitalized on the man-advantage opportunities. Layden scored a power-play goal directly off a face-off. As the puck was passed around, pulling the Vikings out of position, it found its way back to Layden, who blasted a shot from the point.

With just under seven minutes left in the second period, the score was 5-0.

Three minutes later, Layden struck again with another power-play goal. This time, he carried the puck across the blue line, split two Ventura defenders, and finished by roofing the puck for his second goal of the night.

The Jr. Reign scored one more power-play goal before time expired in the second period. Boucher tallied his second of the night when his shot from the right side of the net deflected off the Vikings’ goalie and trickled into the goal.

Heading into the second intermission, the Jr. Reign led 7-0.

The third period featured more power-play goals for both sides.

Just 30 seconds into the third, Ventura capitalized on an early power-play opportunity following an Ontario interference call. After a blocked shot, a Viking player sent the puck past Hicks with a slap shot.

Boucher responded six minutes later with another power-play goal, completing his hat trick. The Jr. Reign moved the puck effectively with the man-advantage, looking for the perfect opportunity to strike. Boucher delivered by receiving the puck from Layden, drifting to the center of the zone, and ripping a shot into the top-left corner of the net.

The score was 8-1 with just over 13 minutes left to play.

Ventura answered with a short-handed goal two minutes later, catching the Jr. Reign in transition and left a Vikings attacker one-on-one with Hicks.

Neither side added a goal during the final 12 minutes of play, ending the game with a final score of 8-2.

Hicks finished the game with 26 saves on 28 shots. Boucher ended the night with a hat trick, while Layden and Geng each recorded five points with two goals and three assists. Lai contributed four points with a goal and three assists.

The Jr. Reign look to sustain their run of form for their next game, away against the Long Beach Bombers. Puck drops at 7 pm, and you can watch the game on FloHockey.tv. 

Join the Ontario Jr. Reign for their next home game on Saturday, Nov. 23  against the Bakersfield Roughnecks. Be at the Center Ice Arena as the puck drops at 8:30 pm. Take advantage of our buy one ticket get the one free special, get yours today at Tickets - Ontario Jr Reign.