Sporting an opinion

When you're up three goals with 9:28 to play, you hope to leave town with more than one point.

Not only do the Reign not get to leave town after squandering a late 6-3 lead, they lost 7-6 in overtime to the Alaska Aces on Friday night, their second straight in this three-game set. John Murray allowed seven goals on 34 shots, including the game-winner just 29 seconds into overtime. On a team with three goalies, Murray doesn't seem to be playing his best hockey with Jeff Zatkoff eligible to come off injured reserve soon.

P.J. Atherton scored twice (his 4th and 5th), and Jon Rheault (8th), Jon Francisco (18th), Geoff Walker (13th), Chris Curran (5th) also scored for the Reign.

Atherton's second goal of the game, at 10:32 of the third, put Ontario up 6-3 - usually enough of a cushion to cruise to the finish. Not sure if that's what the defense did, or if Murray got lazy on a couple goals, or a little of both; either way it's a tough loss. The seven goals represent the most the Reign have allowed in a game.

Interestingly enough, two penalty shots (both on hooking calls, no less) were awarded in this game, and neither Rheault nor Alaska's Scott Burt put away their free chance.

Andrew Martens and Tim Kraus each had two assists, and if you want to look on the bright side some more (not that one really exists in those dark, dark Alaskan winters), the power play broke out of its slump with three goals in five chances. Alaska moves to 4-1 against the Reign for the season, with their sixth of eight regular-season meetings tomorrow night in Anchorage.

Here is the official game report.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Billy Ray Cyrus. From autoclubspeedway.com:

Multi-platinum singer/songwriter and country superstar Billy Ray Cyrus, whose new studio album "Back to Tennessee" hits stores on March 31, will serve as Grand Marshal for the Stater Bros. 300 NASCAR Nationwide series race as well as perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the San Bernardino County 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event, both scheduled for February 21 at Auto Club Speedway.

In addition to his new album which includes his newest single 'Real Gone', Cyrus produces and co-stars in the Walt Disney Pictures film "Hannah Montana The Movie," which debuts nationwide on April 10. Currently, Cyrus co-stars with daughter Miley on the Emmy-nominated hit Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana," now in its third season.

Cyrus has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and earned nearly thirty chart singles, including 15 Top 40 charts hits, while at the same time establishing himself as a successful and respected actor in film and television. Cyrus' most recent album -- 2007's Home At Last -- entered in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, hitting #3 on the Top Country Album chart, while "Ready, Set, Don't Go" -- the moving duet with daughter Miley Cyrus -- became a Top 5 country smash.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gdpc9SvIVeVEyey9zvASS0ypeglAD96140T86:

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- Helio Gracie, one of the main creators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that gained worldwide popularity, has died. He was 95.

Gracie died Thursday morning and was buried in the afternoon near his home in the mountain resort town of Petropolis near Rio de Janeiro, according to a short statement posted on the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Web site.

The Agencia Estado news service said he died of pneumonia.

Gracie introduced a series of adaptations to traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu that emphasized leverage and position as a way to compensate for size differences among opponents.

More than 40 sons and grandsons of Gracie and his brother Carlos helped popularize the mixed martial art around the world.

One of Gracie's sons, Rorion, was a founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a hugely popular martial-arts combat sport in the United States, where it is seen as a more exciting alternative to boxing and wrestling.

Gracie is survived by his wife and nine children.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With the Reign enjoying an off-day in beautiful Anchorage (currently 20° and partly cloudy), it's time to acknowledge the Alaska Aces seem to have the Reign's number.

It didn't seem to matter last night that the Reign were unbeaten in their previous five games; the Aces extended their own unbeaten streak to six. They've taken three of the teams' four meetings, and in those four games have gone 7-for-19 on the power play while killing 17 of 18 chances against.

The Reign power play is struggling, too. They've got one goal in their past three games, a span of 13 man-advantage shifts.

Also, keep an eye on the roster over the next few days with Ryan MacGregor eligible to return from his head injury and Denny Johnston (wrist) also getting close. If my math is correct, they'll need to move one player off the active roster to accomodate both MacGregor and Johnston.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Reign drop Game 1 of a three-game set in Anchorage, a game in which they fell behind 3-0 and couldn't recover despite taking just two penalties.

Jon Rheault notched his seventh goal of the season at 8:23 of the third period, but it was too little too late. Kellen Briggs stopped 30 of 33 shots in his first loss of the season.

David Walker and Tim Kraus had the only assists, meaning Todd Jackson and Itan Chavira's four-game point streaks came to an end.

The game report can be found here.

Gane 2 is Friday night at Sullivan Arena.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New York Fire Department-Ontario Fire Department game last Sunday (the final score to which I can't remember) netted quite a bit of money for the Muscular Dystrophy Fund and the Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome Family Network.

From the official press release:

Fans with tickets for the night's Reign vs. Grizzlies game were able to use the same ticket to gain admission to the charity match-up earlier in the afternoon. For every ticket purchased, the Ontario Reign donated $4 to the charities. The Reign also auctioned off a signed New York Fire Department jersey, sold game programs, and held a 50-50 raffle, with all proceeds going towards the charities, and bringing the grand total raised to $9,466.40.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 7:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In case you missed it, Karl Taylor and ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna discussed possible changes to the 2010 ECHL All-Star Game in Ontario in today's editions:

When the ECHL All-Star Game comes to Ontario in January 2010, Reign coach Karl Taylor would like to see it count a little more than it does now. Last Wednesday's game in Reading, Pa. ended 11-5 in favor of the American Conference. The Eastern Conference won Sunday's NHL All-Star Game, 12-11 in a shootout, and Taylor said plainly, "It's not real hockey."

"Make it mean something, put some incentives in there," he said. "Make it very clear how you coach, how you plan it, sell it, position it to the players. That type of atmosphere would be great.

"I'm going to push hard to help try and change that."

Change could be on the way already. ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna said Monday the league's board of governors will consider possible incentives for winning the all-star game at its annual meeting this summer.

At last year's meeting, McKenna said the idea of giving the winning conference home-ice advantage in the Kelly Cup finals was considered but rejected.

"If one conference or another were to win, but the regular-season points champion finishes, let's say 20 points ahead of the conference champion from the other conference," McKenna said, "it would be very difficult to explain to all the fans why that team didn't get the advantage in the Kelly Cup finals."

The rest of the story: http://www.sbsun.com/sports/ci_11562322

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was a tough night for the goaltenders ... actually, they held their own just fine.

In an interesting footnote to Sunday's Reign-Condors game, in which both teams wore the jerseys of their NHL affiliates (Kings and Ducks, respectively), the Reign easily earned the most money for charity when jerseys were auctioned off to fans after the game. The Reign fetched $30,975 in their auction (top bid: about $4,000 for Jon Francisco's jersey; interestingly enough, Chris Curran came in second). They donated the earnings to San Antonio Hospital. The Condors' auction raised $19,900 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County.

Call it a total weekend sweep.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From Laura Johnson in wintry Wrightwood:

Winter conditions returned to Mountain High overnight as temperatures dipped into the teens and two inches of natural snowfall complimented heavy snowmaking on the mountain. Weather forecasts are calling for continued snowmaking temperatures in the evenings throughout the week, which will allow Mountain High to add to the 12-24 inch base of fresh packed powder. Up to eight chairlifts are currently in operation accessing 19 trails and the mountain plans to have 100% of trails open at the West Resort by this weekend. In less than two weeks Mountain High will hold its biggest event of the season, bringing a triple shot of big air flavor to Wrightwood with the 11th Annual Cholula Triple Air Show. The big air contest boasts a hot $25,000 cash purse and is the richest "one day triple air contest" in the nation, complete with live DJ and vendor village for the public. For more information on the $25,000 Cholula Triple Air Show or the most updated lift and snow report please visit mthigh.com.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The other interesting tidbit I got from practice today (that won't be in tomorrow's paper) was Taylor's take on how they've been coping at left wing since Maxime Boisclair left the team, and Ryan MacGregor got injured. Three defensemen - Dan Knapp, Andrew Martens and Ryan Card (before he was traded) - all filled in there at some point.

Said Taylor: "We've been looking to fill that void to get that big offensive body. Marty did a great job at it. He almost did too good a job where I have to leave him up there. Knapper's a good solid defensive guy, scored for us. When you have a selfless guy who works as hard as he had to learn the position, it rubs off on the whole team."

But they're getting MacGregor back on this road trip to Alaska. Denny Johnston, too, though he's a natural center; we'll see how Taylor uses him.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I asked Reign forward Itan Chavira today about the NHL skills competition over the weekend. Chavira is known for his trickery, which would easily have been on par with anything Saturday. That's what I thought, at least.

Said Chavira: "(Anaheim's Ryan) Getzlaf and (Montreal's Alex) Kovalev probably had the most skill in that category, but to see (Washington's Alex) Ovechkin win it was a downer. Everybody knows he's a fan favorite. It's the second year they've done this, I still haven't seen anything that's impressed me yet."

More Chavira: He said that, at one point, he was contemplating leaving the Reign to attend film school. Over the past few weeks he's changed his mind.

"It's called Film Connection, it's in L.A. Classes are two days a week. They still can work around your time. Say you go on a road trip for a week, miss one class, you can do three the next week. You get a mentor, it's one-on-one. I bring my laptop around all the time."

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kellen Briggs made his season debut and made 36 saves. Tim Kraus scored twice, including the game-winner. They were Kraus' first two goals since Jan. 2. Quite a breakthrough performance for both of them.

Itan Chavira also scored to extend his point streak to four straight games.

Both teams looked snazzy, if not different, in their NHL affiliate tribute jerseys. More in tomorrow's editions.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your Ducks highlights: A Scott Niedermayer secondary assist and J-S Giguere not getting pulled from his start early despite allowing 4 goals on 11 shots in the first period. Ryan Getzlaf was held scoreless. Yeah, not the best representation you could have asked for.

A full box score is here
Highlights will soon be up here: http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tim Kraus and Jon Rheault scored in the shootout (Itan Chavira didn't shoot ... hmm), making a winner out of goaltender John Murray, who stopped 6 of 7 in the shootout and 33 of 35 in regulation.

Todd Jackson's 13th goal of the season 9:49 into the third period tied the game at 2, off assists from P.J. Atherton and Chavira, on a power play. Dave Knapp, playing at left wing tonight, also scored, an even-strength goal in the first off assists from Rheault and David Walker.

Not a lot of penalties, but a rematch tonight at 5 p.m. at the Bank. See you there...

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's official: The ECHL all-star game is coming to Citizens Business Bank Arena in January, 2010. A specific date hasn't been set.

Update: Among other things, this means the Stanley Cup is coming to Ontario, according to the league release.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lancaster, Pa. native John Murray did the media rounds with the hometown papers at the recently completed all-star game in Reading.

Here, we learn about the Reign goaltender's affinity for shirtless bartending, and here we learn that he drives a Le Mans. Since it's not specified which type of Le Mans, you can use your imagination:

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This doesn't figure to impact the Reign directly; they've got a decent cushion at the top of the Pacific, but here it is. The Kelly Cup, just FYI, is the ECHL's version of the Stanley Cup (except Mr. Kelly is still alive!)

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced that the Board of Governors approved a revision to the Kelly Cup Playoffs format for the National Conference and the South Division in the American Conference at its Mid-Season Meeting in Reading, Pa. on Wednesday.

If the fifth-place team in the West Division has a greater winning percentage than the fourth-place team in the Pacific Division then the fifth-place team in the West Division will become the fourth seed in the Pacific Division.

It was also announced that the Kelly Cup Playoff participants in the South Division will be determined by winning percentage instead of points.

The tiebreaker for the National Conference and the South Division if two teams tie will be: 1. Points, head-to-head; 2. Wins, head-to-head; 3. Goal Differential, head-to-head; 4. Coin Toss.

The tiebreaker for the National Conference and the South Division if three teams are tied will be: 1. Winning percentage, games between the teams; 2. Goal differential, games between the teams; 3. Winning percentage, division; 4. Winning percentage, conference; 5. Coin toss. When two teams remain after the third or other teams are eliminated during any step above, the tiebreaker reverts to Step 1 of the two-team format.

The Kelly Cup Playoff participants in the North Division will still be determined by points and there were not any changes made to the tiebreaker for the North Division.

The Division Semifinals will have the first seed meeting the fourth seed and the second seed meeting the third seed in a best-of-seven series.

The winners of the Division Semifinals will advance to the Division Finals which is a best-of-seven series.

The winner of the American Conference and the winner of the National Conference will meet in the Kelly Cup Finals, a best-of-seven game series.

Home-ice advantage will be determined by regular season winning percentage.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The ECHL has decided on a location for the 2010 all-star game and ... they won't officially announce it to anyone (including me) until tomorrow. But we'll find out this weekend, I am told.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 4:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Reign cleared their glut of defensemen Friday by trading Ryan Card to Johnstown for future considerations. Card missed the first 33 games of the season with a herniated disc and appeared in just four games with zero points, two penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating. The trade leaves the Reign with seven defensemen heading into tomorrow's game at Bakersfield.

Also, Jon Rheault was officially added to the roster.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just got word from the Reign's executive vice president of business operations, Justin Kemp, that the ECHL will announce the host city for the 2010 all-star game tomorrow. Kemp has already been informed of the league's decision; it's believed to be between (at least) Ontario and Biloxi, Miss., home of the Mississippi Sea Wolves.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Almost as soon as Dusty Collins was cut by the Manchester Monarchs, the Manitoba Moose brought the center back to the American Hockey League, after he was back under contract to the Reign for about a day there.

Though Karl Taylor would have probably loved to have Collins back, it does mean one less roster move the head coach has to make. Jon Rheault, at least for the moment, is expected back this weekend, as is Denny Johnston. Both were cut by Manchester this month. The maxed-out Reign will have to make room on the 18-man active roster for both players, but nothing official today on the transactions wire.

If you've got five minutes tops, here's a brand-new feature on Rheault in the New England Hockey Journal.

Update: Collins' stint could be a quick one. According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the void in the Moose lineup was preceded by a pair of short-term situations:

The Moose have signed winger Dusty Collins from the Ontario Reign of the ECHL to bolster their forward group.

(Mark) Cullen injured his shoulder in the first period of the club's win over the Hamilton Bulldogs last night and is listed as day-to-day.

(Forward Michael) Ouellet has left the club to join his wife in Winnipeg for the birth of their child.

Collins, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, has four goals and two assists in 16 games with the AHL's Manchester Monarchs this season and six goals and eight assists in 24 games with Ontario.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First the good news: Geoff Walker scored a goal and Tim Kraus assisted on another, on a light day of scoring for the National Conference, which took an 11-5 loss in Reading, Pa. in the ECHL All-Star game Wednesday night. Apparently it's not like this every year; the 11 goals tied an ECHL All-Star game record.

Which is bad news for John Murray.

All eyes were on Murray, whose grew up in nearby Lancaster. Murray played the third period, allowed five goals on 18 shots, and saw the score jump from 6-4 to 10-4 under his watch. I'm sure the 20-to-40 family and friends Murray had in attendance were expecting something better, but such is an All-Star game (except in Major League Baseball, where "it counts"). The goalies always get beat up because no one plays defense.

Here's the box score and here's the official bare-bones ECHL recap. I'll catch up with the trio once they get back for this weekend's home-and-home against Bakersfield.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Aside from a possible Hall of Fame induction, you will probably never hear about Jeff Kent again.

The Associated Press reported last hour that the Dodgers second baseman plans to announce his retirement from baseball Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

Kent, who was born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, seemed to have been born about 30 years too late. He wore an old-school moustache and an old-school attitude, and in the offseason he wore a cowboy hat on his old-school cowboy ranch near San Antonio.

He was prickly like a desert cactus, the type of gentleman who showed up at the ballpark to put on his uniform, hit the crap out of the baseball, head back into the clubhouse and - do you have time for a couple questions, Jeff? (the answer wasn't always yes) - then head home. It's only appropriate that his most productive seasons as a baseball player came wearing a black hat, for the San Francisco Giants from 1997-2002.

He was just as famous for his feuds with teammates as his 377 career home runs, including a record 351 hit as a second baseman. Take careful note of who he thanks tomorrow, as well as five years from now at his Hall of Fame induction speech. It could be a short list. Which isn't to say Kent was a jerk; he just wasn't a people person. His fielding skills lasted longer than his interpersonal skills - which, come to mention it, held up fairly well over 17 seasons.

Though his range died a slow and painful death, he made 11 errors last season in 116 games at second base, not bad for a 40-year-old. And he hit .280 in 440 at-bats, mostly from the oblivion of the bottom of the Dodgers' lineup. The question is not will Kent make the Hall of Fame, but which team's cap will his bronzed likeness don?

Let me be the first to nominate an unmarked cowboy hat.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Denny Johnston officially joined the Reign today, almost a week after the Manchester Monarchs released the center from his AHL contract. Johnston told me last weekend that joining the Reign was contingent on passing a physical, since he had broken his wrist in late November while playing in Manchester.

Evidently, he must have passed. In addition to the announcement earlier today that Jon Rheault and Dusty Collins have been released from Manchester, Johnston's arrival means the Reign have potentially three forwards coming their way from the AHL this week.

Also, the Monarchs grabbed goaltender Jeff Jakaitis from the ECHL Charlotte Checkers to replace Jonathan Bernier, whom the Kings recalled to replace Erik Ersberg a couple days back. That's good news for Reign fans who wanted to see Jeff Zatkoff, Kellen Briggs and/or John Murray in uniform a while longer.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 5:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Unless they are signed by another American Hockey League squad over the next five days, Dusty Collins and Jon Rheault will again be members of the Ontario Reign when the All-Star break is over.

Both were released from their Pro Tryout Agreements with the AHL Manchester Monarchs today. Here's the full release. Since the Reign are already at the ECHL-maximum 18 active players, they would have to make room for Rheault and Collins by trading or cutting two current players.

Expect some moves in the days ahead...

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Perhaps after reading today's piece in the Sun, Gillett Evernham Motorsports decided to rename itself Richard Petty Motorsports, thus giving NASCAR's greatest driver ever a prominent position in its title (if not its front office).

As an aside, am I the only one who sees Richard Petty and thinks George Harrison?

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One more note from Saturday's game: The Reign's second mascot, a dragon which has gone by "The Dragon" since he was first introduced, will now be known as "Blaze." The winner was announced during the first period Saturday. I think the winner's name was Derek.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 1:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Possibly the most exciting game since the arena was built, and the second-largest crowd ever for a Reign game (8,532) got to see it.

Not that Karl Taylor enjoyed sweating through his team's worst defensive effort of the year. The most goals the Reign had previously allowed in a game was 5, against Utah on one occasion and against Victoria twice last week. Tonight, they surrendered three unanswered goals during a five-minute span in the third period to see a healthy 6-3 lead evaporate.

Somehow, some way, they turned things around dramatically in overtime, allowing only one shot to reach Murray and blocking several more, the most critical stops coming with Utah holding a 4-on-3 advantage during the final two minutes.

John Murray struggled at times and stopped just 31 of 37 shots in regulation and overtime, then was perfect in the shootout. The Reign were outshot 37-32.

As for the moment we all were waiting for in the press box...

Itan Chavira went second in the shootout, tried his "Osterkamp" move on Utah's Michael Mole, who literally skated out of the crease and into Chavira before he could complete the move. Interesting tactic. Not sure what Mole thought Chavira was trying to do, but he shoved the 5-foot-9 Phillips Ranch resident immediately, and had to be restrained by the men in stripes.

Then Andrew Martens went third in the shootout and scored. Game over.

Todd Jackson scored short-handed goals less than a minute apart during the same short-handed shift in the third (the ECHL doesn't keep records for fastest consecutive short-handed goals, but the record for shorties in a game is 3, accomplished once in 1998).

Jon Francisco also scored twice and blocked a shot late in overtime. Dan Knapp and Geoff Walker also scored goals, Dale Reinhardt had two assists, and Chavira got an assist on Francisco's first-period goal -- his third point in his last four games.

Tomorrow's editions won't include details on a ridiculous fight at 6:27 of the third that got everyone involved. Dan Knapp and David Walker both got involved in some serious boxing matches, and Murray somehow drew an unsportsmanlike conduct minor despite a Utah player (I couldn't see who) taking out his legs at the end of the play. But the lasting image was of Andrew Martens, who drew into a "turtle" position on his knees as Utah's Will Bodine pummeled him from above. Bodine made a point to drop some trash talking in at the end.

Anyway, there were quite a few of you at this game. Share your thoughts in the space below.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

John Murray was named to the ECHL all-star game to replace Jeff Zatkoff on Saturday. Zatkoff left during the third period of the Reign's OT loss to the Utah Grizzlies on Friday with an undisclosed injury. It's safe to assume the two events are related. But whether Zatkoff is being held out of the game next Wednesday as a mere precaution, or because of an injury that would prevent him from playing a regular game, remains to be seen.

The 21-year-old Murray is 11-8-1 with two shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.51 and a save percentage of . 926 in 21 games for Ontario.

Update: Zatkoff went on 3-day injured reserve today and Briggs (who went on 3-day IR Wednesday, not Thursday) came off.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Goaltender John Murray came on in relief after Jeff Zatkoff tweaked a muscle midway through the third period, and coughed up a 3-2 lead by allowing two Utah goals on eight shots.

In Murray's defense, the referee/Brad Mehalko (depending on your point of view) did him no favor when Mehalko was hit with a hooking (not slashing, as tomorrow's editions will read) penalty with 59 seconds left in regulation. That put the Reign at a 5-on-4 disadvantage for the rest of the third period and the start of overtime. Tom May's game-winning goal came with 3 seconds left on Mehalko's penalty.

Jon Francisco had a good game - two goals and an assist - and Andrew Martens scored the Reign's other goal to make it 3-1 just 35 seconds into the third period. Utah made it 3-2 two minutes later, then scored the last two after Zatkoff was pulled.

Zatkoff's status for today isn't known. He could be healthy enough to start, back up, or not be ready to go at all. In the case of the latter, the Reign could be in trouble because Kellen Briggs isn't eligible to return from 3-day injured reserve, and Dennis Cook was in uniform for the Grizzlies as their emergency backup.

The Reign could be without Mike Howe today, too. He took an elbow to his head with about nine minutes into the game, then had to be helped off the ice and didn't return. If he can't go, the Reign have defenseman Ryan Card, who was a healthy scratch Friday.

Dan Knapp became the third different Reign defenseman to play forward when he started at left wing.

Also, I spoke to Denny Johnston after the game. He apparently hasn't totally healed from a broken wrist enough to play, and technically hasn't joined the Reign because he didn't pass his physical after Manchester cut him earlier in the week.

This was a physical, physical game which sets the stage for an interesting rematch in 24 hours. More details in tomorrow's editions.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Denny Johnston is an original Ontario Reign signee, but has never played an ECHL game in his life. Why?

The 26-year-old center made the Manchester Monarchs' AHL roster out of training camp, signed a Pro Tryout agreement, and never came back. Johnston notched a goal and an assist through his first four games, didn't score over the next six, then went on injured reserve in early December and never played again. According to the Union-Leader of Manchester N.H., Johnston was healthy enough to practice when the team released him from his Tryout contract yesterday.

Assuming Johnston joins the Reign's active roster right away, that leaves the team with 10 healthy forwards, eight healthy defensemen, and two healthy goalies, right back at the ECHL-maximum 20 -- this about two weeks after the team was rotating five defensemen, eight forwards and one goalie. Goaltender Kellen Briggs (3-day), Ryan MacGregor (7-day) and Ryan Bowness (30-day) are all on IR.

The key question as the Reign approach a two-game weekend series Friday and Saturday with the Utah Grizzlies: How will they handle their surplus of skaters? Two defensemen won't get to play if no roster moves are made. Both Ryan Card and David Walker have rotated in at forward at times this year, but will Karl Taylor go that route again?

Stay tuned...

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Former Chino Hills and Riverside resident David Gilliland appears to be temporarily out of work in Sprint Cup.

From SceneDaily.com:

David Gilliland appears to be the odd man out at Yates Racing, where the team says it will field three cars following its new partnership agreement with Hall of Fame Racing.

Along with Paul Menard's No. 98 and Bobby Labonte's No. 96, Travis Kvapil's No. 28 team is expected to remain while Gilliland and the No. 38 appear to be out.

"I just heard of the thing today, from the Internet, so that's what I assume," Gilliland said Wednesday afternoon. "I haven't actually had a sit-down with them, but I'm still under contract with them through 2009. So we're just going to have to work through it, and hopefully, we can get something else going."

Gilliland said he's sorting through the contract and seeing what he's able to do and what the next step could be, but he understands that the current economic climate makes it tough.

He was "a little bit" shocked that he is now likely without a ride just a few weeks before the Daytona 500 and the start of the new Sprint Cup season.

"It's just kind of a bummer that it's this late in the [offseason], you know?" he said. "We'll just have to see what we can come up with and see what we can try and do."

Gilliland praised Yates as a "great organization that has been very good to me," adding he hoped some of the sponsorship opportunities would still come through to allow him to remain with the team.

"That's the main focus right now is just trying to put something together," he said. "It's a tough time right now with the economy and everything else."

Gilliland burst onto the national scene in June 2006, when he stunned the racing world by driving an unsponsored part-time car to victory lane during a race at Kentucky in what is now known as the Nationwide Series.

Cup team owners immediately began expressing their interest, and he signed with Yates to replace the departed Elliott Sadler in the M&Ms-sponsored No. 38 car two months later.

He captured a pole at Talladega that year and then opened 2007 by winning the pole for the Daytona 500 and sparking optimism that Yates could return to prominence.

But aside from one top-five finish and one other top-10, Gilliland struggled along with teammate Ricky Rudd (who had just one top-10), and he finished 28th in points.

Last season, he finished a career-high second place on the road course at Sonoma but again had similar results the remainder of the season as the entire team failed to put together consistent results, leaving him with a 27th-place points finish (teammate Kvapil was 23rd).

Also, it's worth noting that Gilliland's career statistics show negligible improvement from his first season in Sprint Cup to his second.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Something to keep your eye on today: The Manitoba Moose of the AHL released defenseman Andrew Martens, who started the season with the Reign before signing a Pro Tryout contract with the Moose in December.

Martens notched five assists in his first six games, but was held scoreless in his past five amid decreasing playing time. Winnipeg Sun columnist Ken Wiebe, in his midseason grades column, graded Martens a "C-minus" with these comments:

Plenty of offensive upside as a power-play specialist, a big shot that gets through but has some major defensive deficiencies to work on.

Martens still belongs to the Reign, so expect him back as early as tonight for a game in Phoenix, or for a Friday-Saturday double at CBBA against Utah.

7 p.m. update: Martens is back and in the lineup against Phoenix.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Kings have reassigned goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to the Reign, who have a game tonight in Phoenix, and recalled G Danny Taylor from Reading to Manchester of the AHL. The move is likely designed to get Zatkoff more playing time; he had played just three games in a little less than a month in Manchester, where Jonathan Bernier is the starter.

That gives the Reign three goalies: Kellen Briggs, John Murray and Zatkoff. Ironically Murray, who started the last 12 games, could be the odd man out. After coming off IR in December, Briggs has been patiently testing a preseason groin injury in practice but hasn't appeared in a game yet. Barring a setback, he was already expected to make his debut before the end of the month.

Zatkoff did pretty well in his first three AHL appearances, going 1-2 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Update: Zatkoff is back and started tonight in Phoenix. Briggs has been placed on 3-day IR.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Ontario Reign will hold an informational meeting this Saturday, January 17, for all fans interested in becoming a charter member of the Ontario Reign Booster Club. The meeting will be held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena at 5:30 p.m. just prior to the Reign versus Grizzlies game. All fans interested in attending the meeting should meet at the Citizens Business Bank Arena Administrative offices on the south side of the arena by 5:15 p.m. to be escorted to the meeting area.

The meeting will discuss the role of the Ontario Reign Booster Club, and Reign Executive V.P. of Business Operations Justin Kemp will be on hand to address the meeting attendees.

No ticket is necessary to attend the meeting, but fans are encouraged to attend the "Fire On Ice" OFD versus NYFD charity game at 3 p.m. and the Reign versus Grizzlies game at 7 p.m.

Please RSVP to Alan Wapner at (909) 988-0918 or alan@alanwapner.com by Friday, January 16.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/01/14/angels.anaheim.ap/index.html:

ANAHEIM (AP) -- The city of Anaheim is dropping its legal challenges to the name of the Angels. Mayor Curt Pringle says the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to give up its battle to restore the team's name to the Anaheim Angels. The city had argued that team owner Arte Moreno violated the city-owned stadium lease agreement when he changed the name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005. A California appeals court ruled against the city last month, and an Orange County Superior court jury sided with the team in 2006. Pringle says city leaders believe the wrong court decision was made twice, but says "it's in everybody's best interest to take no further action."

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Auto Club Speedway announced Tuesday a discount on some tickets for the Auto Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Feb. 22.

Seats in the Pepsi Rock n' Rows - the first five rows of the main grandstands - that are usually priced at $55 are now $35 each.

"With the economy as it is, we continue to work diligently with our partners to find ways to provide our fans with affordable opportunities to enjoy Auto Club Speedway," said track President Gillian Zucker. "In addition to this partnership, as well as free parking, allowing fans to bring in their own food and other cost-savings opportunities, we are offering race fans a full day of entertainment and fun at a fantastic family value."

Tickets are available by calling 800-944-RACE (7223) or on the Web at www.autoclubspeedway.com.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 5:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gomez, who played briefly for the Washington Senators, managed the Padres, and later was a special assistant to the Angels' GM, died today. Apparently he never recovered from injuries sustained when he was struck by a car in March of last year.

From Nancy Mazmanian at the Angels:

Preston Gomez, who devoted over 65 years of his life to professional baseball, passed away earlier this afternoon in Fullerton, CA. He was 86.

"The Angels family has lost one of its invaluable members, and one of baseball's truly great ambassadors," said Angels' General Manager Tony Reagins. "His influence and impact on so many throughout the industry is impossible to measure. Though he will be missed, Preston's legacy will forever remain a part of this organization," added Reagins.

"Preston had an incredible passion for baseball and was a mentor for all of us who were fortunate to spend time with him," said Angels' Manager Mike Scioscia, who yearly invited Gomez to take an active role in instructing during spring training. "He will certainly be missed, but I know his presence will be felt every time we take the field because of the knowledge and wisdom that he imparted to us."

On March 26, 2008, Gomez was returning to California following his time in spring training with the ballclub in Tempe, AZ when he was struck by a truck while walking to his car. He was never able to recover from the injuries sustained in the accident.

During his career, Gomez served as a player, coach, manager, talent scout and consultant. He spent his last 28 years in baseball with the Angels, first as a major league coach and later as a special assistant to the General Manager.

A native of Havana, Cuba, Gomez began his playing career in 1944 as a 21-year-old shortstop with the Washington Senators. He was brought to the U.S. by the ballclub when major league rosters were depleted because of World War II. He batted .286 in eight games before spending the rest of his playing career in the minor leagues. Gomez had his finest season in the minors in 1951, batting .268 with nine home runs and 58 RBI for Three Rivers (PA).

After his playing career ended, Gomez first managed in the Mexican Winter League before being offered a minor league coaching position by the Dodgers. He spent eight seasons as a minor league manager in the Cincinnati, Los Angeles and New York Yankees farm systems, guiding clubs such as Fresnillo, Mexico City, Havana, Spokane and Richmond. He led the Dodgers' Spokane club to the Pacific Coast League pennant in 1960. He also spent time coaching with Houston and St. Louis.

In 1965, Gomez became the third-base coach for the Dodgers, where he served through four seasons, earning two National league pennants and a World Series title. He left the club in 1969 to manage the expansion San Diego Padres (1969-72), joining former Dodgers' Vice-President Buzzie Bavasi. He later managed the Houston Astros (1974-75) and Chicago Cubs (1980). Gomez compiled a 346-529 (.395) managerial record in seven seasons. He then joined the Angels' organization in 1981 as third base coach, a position he held for four seasons (1981-84) before becoming a special assistant to the General Manager.

Born April 20, 1923, in Central Preston, Oriented, Cuba, Gomez was inducted into the Hispanic Baseball Heritage Museum Hall of Fame, May 3, 2003.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, brother Jose Gomez, sisters Rachel Valz and Sara Raspall, son Pedro, daughter Elia, step-daughter Claudia Astorga, adopted son Carlos Becerra, and grandchildren Sergio, Jr. and Eliana.

At Gomez's request, there are no funeral or memorial services planned.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 4:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Itan Chavira fans, rejoice: The Phillips Ranch resident scored his first professional goal on a power play in the first period of the Reign's 5-2 loss to the Victoria Salmon Kings on Saturday night.

The bad news: the loss means the Reign get swept by the ECHL's hottest team, winners of 15 straight, and head to Phoenix on Wednesday riding a four-game losing streak of their own.

More details in tomorrow's editions, along with a phat pheature detailing the team's survival methods in a crappy economy.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A few observations from my morning boarding up at Mountain High.

First, the snow is OK. It's a moderately painful lesson if you should happen to "eat it," as they say, on the way down. Sadly this was my first time boarding this season, so I learned a couple of those.

Second, the Bullwheel Bar and Grill has a bloody mary bar first thing when you walk in. If this does something for you, great. If not, just throwing it out there.

Third, the line today was nowhere near what it was during Christmas break, when they had to close off parts of Hwy 2 because so many people were there on vacation. Lifts opened at 8:30, I was bumping but a few elbows around 9:30 and by 10:30 it was a good time for lunch. The lifts stay open to 10 p.m., but word is it will be especially icy come nighttime this weekend.

Also, hybrid vehicles get preferred parking. Again, if this does something for you, great. If not, please don't hate on my hybrid.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One note that got left out of today's editions: Defenseman Ryan Card played his first game of the season Wednesday night after missing the first 40 games due to a leg injury. Card was held scoreless, but saw plenty of action on the power play. He was also called for a 2-minute delay of game minor penalty for hitting the puck out of the rink.

Goaltender Kellen Briggs was the backup to John Murray again. It's worth noting that emergency backup Dennis Cook was in the building, but not in uniform. Briggs will make the road trip to Victoria, but his season debut is still on hold.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Former Reign goalie Jeff Zatkoff got his first AHL win Wednesday, in the Manchester Monarchs' 3-2 overtime win over the Providence Bruins.

"It's a great boost to his confidence," Monarchs coach Mark Morris said.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 7:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There's a hefty Reign connection to the news today out of Reading, Pennsylvania that Dan Nobili, head coach of the ECHL's Reading Royals, was removed as head coach.

Reign coach Karl Taylor was the Royals' coach last season, and Nobili got his first head coaching job there when Taylor came to Ontario. The Royals were in last place in the American Conference's North Division at 9-23-0-2.

Taking over is Larry Courville, whom Taylor coached in Reading a few years back, and was hired as an assistant coach in Reading just last month. Courville also helped Taylor discover goalie John Murray, because Courville had helped Murray's father coach hockey camps in Pennsylvania.

Got all that? Good. Carry on...

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 7:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Due to the Fresno Falcons ceasing operations, the Reign have redrawn their schedule to reflect home games against the Falcons scheduled for January 23 (Friday) and March 18 (Wednesday):

Friday, January 23 - Cancelled
Friday, February 6 - Stockton Thunder (rescheduled opponent)
Saturday, February 14 - Las Vegas Wranglers (rescheduled opponent)
Sunday, February 22 - Alaska Aces (rescheduled opponent)
Monday, February 23 - Added; Victoria Salmon Kings
Wednesday, March 18 - Stockton Thunder (rescheduled opponent)

In addition, the following Reign Road Games have been rescheduled:

Tuesday, February 3 - Added; at Phoenix Roadrunners - 6:05 p.m. PT
Saturday, February 21 - at Phoenix Roadrunners - Cancelled
Sunday, March 15 - Added; at Victoria Salmon Kings - Time TBD

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I asked coach Taylor yesterday about the Stockton Thunder hiring coach Matt Thomas away from the recently-folded Fresno Falcons, then signing seven Falcons players.

"The Fresno coach is the new coach at Stockton; that's why they have seven Fresno guys. They basically combined two teams to make one team, so Stockton's going to be a good team.

"The players were waiting to make a decision, see what was going to happen. We contacted a few individuals we were interested in, but they decided to follow Matty. It changes everything. Stockton just added seven of the best players Fresno had, and they were in first place.

"You don't wish that on anybody, but tha's the business we pick. I'm lucky I haven't been fired yet. Someday it's going to happen and that's going to suck for me too, but that's the way it goes.

On the Reign possibly signing any former Falcons:

"Four guys retired, the other guys are signing elsewhere. the only guys we wanted went to Stockton."

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The ECHL Elmira Jackals have signed enforcer Robin Big Snake. Here is a video of Robin Big Snake getting into a fight two seasons ago. According to Wikipedia, this is his real name and he belongs to the Siksika Nation tribe in northern Alberta.

Posted by J.P. Hoornstra at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)