Reign to face Allen (Texas) in Western Conference Finals

Ontario Reign vs. Allen Americans

Game 1: ONT at ALN, Sunday, May 17, 4:05 PM

Game 2: ONT at ALN, Monday, May 18, 7:05 PM

Game 3: ALN at ONT, Thursday, May 21, 7:00 PM

Game 4: ALN at ONT, Saturday, May 23, 6:00 PM

Game 5: ALN at ONT, Sunday, May 24, 6:00 PM *

Game 6: ONT at ALN, Tuesday, May 26, 7:05 PM *

Game 7: ONT at ALN, Wednesday, May 27, 7:05 PM *

AHL Alignment

While waiting for the ECHL Reign to play in the Western Conference finals, we take a look at the future, as the AHL has announced the new alignments for next season …

Western Conference
Pacific Division
Bakersfield Condors (EDM)
Ontario Reign (LA)
San Antonio Rampage (COL)
San Diego Gulls (ANA)
San Jose Barracuda (SJ)
Stockton Heat (CGY)
Texas Stars (DAL)

Central Division
Charlotte Checkers (CAR)
Chicago Wolves (STL)
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Iowa Wild (MIN)
Lake Erie Monsters (CBJ)
Manitoba Moose (WPG)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI)

Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)
Hershey Bears (WSH)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)
Portland Pirates (FLA)
Providence Bruins (BOS)
Springfield Falcons (ARI)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)

North Division
Albany Devils (NJ)
Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Rochester Americans (BUF)
St. John’s IceCaps (MTL)
Syracuse Crunch (TB)
Toronto Marlies (TOR)
Utica Comets (VAN)

 

ECHL Playoffs: Reign vs. Utah

ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs
Second round (Best-of-7)
UTAH GRIZZLIES VS. ONTARIO REIGN
Game 1: Utah at Reign, Sunday, 3 p.m.
Game 2: Utah at Reign, Monday, 7 p.m.
Game 3: Reign at Utah, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Reign at Utah, Friday, May 8, 7 p.m.
*Game 5: Reign at Utah, Saturday, May 9, 7 p.m.
*Game 6: Utah at Reign, Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m.
*Game 7: Utah at Reign, Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m.
* – if necessary
Reign home games at Citizens Business Bank Arena

Reign back on top in playoff series

VIA Bill Norris
Matt White scored two first-period power play goals as the Ontario Reign re-took home-ice advantage with a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Sunday night at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado.
All of the game’s six goals were scored with the man advantage, as Ontario rallied from a 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven ECHL Pacific Division semifinal.
The Reign also got a goal and two assists from Tristan King, and a goal and an assist each from Matt Register and David Rutherford. Jussi Olkinuora, getting his first start of the series, made 24 saves for the victory.
Sunday night’s Game 3 was filled with penalties, as the Reign were able to take advantage. After going scoreless on the power play in the opening game of the series, Ontario was 5-for-13 on the power play in the game, as the host Eagles were whistled for 44 minutes in penalties. Ontario earned 26 minutes in penalties in the game, giving up only one goal in nine Colorado power plays.
Game 4 of the series will be Wednesday, with Game 5 Friday in Colorado. If necessary, the series comes back to Citizens Business Bank Arena next Monday and Tuesday for Games 6 and 7.a

No ticket price spike as Ontario Reign prepare for AHL

Bill Norris catches up with new Reign president Darren Abbott

“It’s been extremely positive,” Abbott said of season ticket sales for 2015-16. “Our numbers are off the charts right now for season tickets for next year. I think the excitement is definitely here. I think people are embracing the new Reign.”

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Abbott, who remains the president of the Los Angeles Kings’ current AHL-affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. Taking over the Reign, he’s been going coast-to-coast keeping tabs on both teams as they start preparations for next season.

But getting to know his new surroundings in the region, as well as the fans and staff has been a priority.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “I’m having a great time getting to know the staff, getting to know the fans. I got to go to Reign Day and meet a lot of people with our fan draft. We had a great crowd there – a thousand people came out for that. We had three or four sell outs in a row. I’m very impressed with how the community rallies around this team. Very impressed with the building itself. Steve Eckerson and his staff do a great job. I’m most excited about my staff that I inherited from (former team president) Justin (Kemp). There’s some great people.”

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Reign Raise Money for the Animals

March charity night at the Reign

The Reign announced last week that the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley’s 6th annual jersey night sponsored will be on Saturday, March 14 at Citizens Business Bank Arena at 6 p.m.

The Reign will take on the Utah Grizzlies while wearing jerseys (above) designed by Matthew Seymour and Zachary Seymour. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off live immediately after the game to benefit Humane Society programs and animals in our community.

In addition Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water will donate one pallet of water to the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley for every goal scored by the Ontario Reign

Ontario Reign add Yorba Linda native Adam Brown for ECHL playoff push

As injuries and call-ups change a roster at the minor league level, teams often have to bring in players from the outside to fill the gaps.

For the Ontario Reign, the latest gap came at the goaltender position. With Jussi Olkinoura is up with the St. John’s Ice Caps and all-star Joe Cannata injured, the Reign were forced to find someone else to mind their net.

Enter Adam Brown.

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Let’s not forget the blue-and-orange Reign are still playing for glory

Columnist Lou Brewster would like to remind everyone that while the Reign’s future looks bright, the current version of the team is in the playoff hunt …

As the originals prepared for one of the handful of games remaining on the schedule, and possible careers, in two hours, the Ontario hockey torch was being passed in grand fashion two floors above.

It just didn’t seem possible, or fitting, we had reached such a point. Understandably, its about progress and a bright future, but weren’t we in the same position seven years ago? Yes, the Reign has a new back-and-silver logo and an adjusted path that will start in the fall, but let’s remember the orange-and-blue is still going strong, despite the concerns of its future.

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Ontario Reign unveil new logo, color scheme for AHL

When Wayne Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles in 1988, it launched a surge in the popularity of hockey in California.

What followed was the expansion the NHL to Anaheim and San Jose, as well as growth at the minor league and youth levels.

Now, some 27 years later, as the Ontario Reign transition from the ECHL to the American Hockey League, the team will pay tribute to the past — and its future as the Kings’ primary minor-league affiliate.

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Stanley Cup proves to be major attraction for Reign fans

Columnist Louis Brewster takes a look at the reaction to the Stanley Cup paying a visit to Citizens Business Bank Arena …

Why is the Stanley Cup so popular, even among non-hardcore hockey fans? Could it be because fans and touch, embrace and get pictures taken with it, like they did Friday night in Ontario at Citizens Business Bank Arena?

The average fan can’t do that with the trophies offered by the NFL, MLB or NBA. They may have history as well, but it’s been a tradition with the Stanley Cup and it’s been photographed in some weird places (including being mugged by Reign public address announcer Jeff Pope).

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