Reign 7, Grizzlies 6, shootout.
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.
Comments
Great game. Wish Chavira would quit the cherrypicking.
Posted by: KingsNate | January 18, 2009 1:02 AM
If this game doesn't sell the sport, nothing will to any first-time fans who attended last night. Period!
What bugged me a bit was how many empty seats there progressively were by the end of the 3rd period and throughout overtime. Where'd everyone go?? Was it that the Reign had a 3 goal lead?
The misconduct that Murray received is a mystery to me as well. I noticed he didn't protest the call, at least from my vantage point. It must've been some inflamatory remark to one of the zebras during the skirmish.
I'm sure the Reign would like to get that 1st period back. 3 dumb giveaways deep in their own zone was more generous than the 52-inch HDTV the fire dept awarded a lucky raffle winner. It was a complete escort service. Hopefully this'll get out of their system real fast.
2 out of 3 for a 2-man advantage? Yes, Utah was pretty adept taking away many shooting lanes and pressing the puck carrier. The Reign was more productive short handed and Jackson came close to a natural hat trick with another opportunity.
The momentum swung to both clubs and you could feel it! The game didn't open as firey as I espected and rather tame compared to the previous night. Most of the 2nd period was mostly a defensive humdrum. Everyone,at least those who stayed, got their money's worth in the 3rd.
Chivera's penalty shot...
He would've been a hero if he were able to have netted this piece of 'mastery'. However, I wonder if coach Taylor will allow him as much creative freedom if he's put back into the shoot out line up or he'll never be in it again.
The Reign's Booster Clubs' intitial organizational meeting was a tremendous success!! About 50 or so fellow fans attended and committees have already been formed.
Posted by: Tom Ingalls | January 18, 2009 8:13 AM