Not much good news in Bakersfield (unless you’re a big fan of penalty killing).
The Reign were outshot 38-15 and outscored 5-0 in their season opener against a Bakersfield team stacked with Ducks prospects. Justin Pogge, the parent club’s number-three goalie, was perfect in stopping what few offensive chances the Reign could muster.
Curiously, the Reign went 7-for-7 on the penalty kill but had a little harder time stopping the Condors at even strength. Bakersfield used their speed to full effect, and scored twice on fast-breaks. Mike Zacharias got the call over Curtis Darling in net and played fairly well considering how much time the Reign spent in their own zone. “Most of the goals we didn’t give him much chance on,” Karl Taylor said.
More details in tomorrow’s editions.
One more detail – Jon Francisco is the new (old?) captain. He was officially handed the “C” again, and Shawn Germain and David Walker donned “A”s.