Sporting an opinion

With No. 1 goalie Jeff Zatkoff injured, it looks like John Murray got more than just three wins out of his four straight starts recently. Murray was named the ECHL's goaltender of the week for the week of Nov. 24-30.

That timespan doesn't include the losses (one start, one in relief) that Murray absorbed after Zatkoff strained his groin Nov. 21 in Fresno. So officially, the 21-year-old was recognized for going 3-0 with a 1.62 goals-against average in wins against Stockton, Bakersfield and Alaska. He lowered his GAA to 2.49, eighth among active ECHL goalies with at least eight games played (Zatkoff is fifth at 2.38).

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Updating my previous entry, Reign coach Karl Taylor was able to shed light on two facets of the Augusta Lynx's cancellation of their season following the Reign's win Wednesday.

First, all the Lynx players immediately became free agents -- not waiver-wire players -- so any ECHL team with the necessary roster (and budget) space can sign the "Augusta 18" at any moment, regardless of their position in waiver priority.

Second, the Reign will not be signing any of them. Said Taylor: "I like my team. They have some players that could help our team, but there's nobody that would change us drastically enough. I'm comfortable with my group."

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Augusta Lynx, a member of the ECHL's American Conference, was forced to cease operations 17 games into the season, canceling the remainder of its season.

Augusta's attendance was bad and reportedly needed at least $200,000 by Tuesday afternoon to stay afloat.

So what does this mean for the Reign?

Continue reading "Reign: Sad news on the eve of tonight's game." »

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 6:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jeff Zatkoff is in uniform and just left the ice after taking part in pregame warmups for the Reign, who drop the puck at 7 p.m. against the Bakersfield Condors at CBBA. That's good news for the Reign, who didn't know how long they would be without their No. 1 goaltender.

It's not clear yet if he will start, though; John Murray played very well in the Reign's last outing, making 42 saves on 44 shots in a 4-2 win in Stockton on Wednesday.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 6:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ontario Reign goaltender Jeff Zatkoff, still recovering from a groin injury sustained last Friday in Fresno, pronounced himself "doubtful" for tomorrow's game in Stockton. John Murray is the probable starter and Dennis Cook suited up in practice Tuesday. Cook is the former Long Beach Ice Dogs emergency backup who was in uniform with the Reign during the preseason, before Zatkoff and Kellen Briggs arrived.

More details in Wednesday morning's editions of the Sun and Bulletin.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Reign were swept out of Fresno tonight, taking a 1-0 loss on the heels of Friday's 5-2 defeat. More importantly, goaltender Jeff Zatkoff, who started Friday but left with a groin injury, isn't seriously hurt according to Executive VP of Business Operations Justin Kemp.

Continue reading "Reign shut out; Zatkoff update." »

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings and the AHL Manchester Monarchs have teamed up with the American Red Cross to hold a Southern California Fire Victims Relief Drive on Friday, November 28, to help aid victims devastated by the recent Southern California fires.

Continue reading "Reign fans can donate to fire victims." »

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 5:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you're planning on going to tonight's Kings-Ducks game at Honda Center at 5 p.m., you might not want to take the 57 Freeway South. It's blocked off completely in both directions in the Diamond Bar area. Your other best option is to take the 15 Freeway south to the 91 West, then catch the 57 South in Anaheim. Also, the 71 Freeway through Chino Hills and Chino is now open.

Continue reading "Fires affecting tonight's Kings-Ducks game." »

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

- Goaltender Jeff Zatkoff 36 of the 39 shots he faced in the loss.

- Jon Rheault currently holds a 4-game point streak with his assist in Friday's match (2g, 5a = 7 points) (11/5-11/15)

- Maxime Boisclair holds a 4-game point streak with his assist in Friday's match (1g, 3a = 4 points) (11/8-11/15)

- Francisco brought the Reign even 15 seconds into a power play at 12:38 of the third period. It took a perfect pass from Boisclair, from the opposite faceoff circle to Francisco, who was waiting on the doorstep.

- The Reign embark on a three-game road trip beginning next Friday in Fresno.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's military appreciation night at Citizens Business Bank Arena, but the scheduled 4:30 p.m. fly-over was cancelled due to fires in the area. Reign hockey is still set for a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Stockton Thunder, and the live music outside (courtesy of Amy Scruggs) sounds nice.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)