It’s starting to become a regular theme for the Ontario Reign this season, their young players are rising up and taking over games. Friday night at Toyota Arena was just the latest example.
Already up 1-0 after an early Taylor Ward goal, first-year pro Kenny Connors doubled Ontario’s over Bakersfield lead off a sequence started by Andre Lee. Midway through the second frame, fellow rookie Jared Wright finished off a play with Connors and Lee for his fourth goal of the season. It also gave Connors his sixth point over the last four games (2G, 4A) and set things up nicely for what seemed like the inevitable.
Less than a minute into the final period, Connors was crossed check by a Condors player and it was on. They dropped the gloves and proceeded to exchange punches — more by Connors than anything else. With that fight, the UMass product recorded his first Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the AHL.
Veteran goaltender Pheonix Copley didn’t see a lot of rubber come his way, only facing about a dozen shots on goal until very late in the game. Firmly in control 3-0 until the final few minutes of regulation, Ontario held on to win 3-2. The same two teams will meet up again on Saturday night, with that game being up in Bakersfield, finishing off the home-and-home weekend series.
Full game highlights can be viewed here:
Pregame notes and lineups can be found in the article linked below.
Lead photo via Ontario Reign
MORE LA KINGS NEWS:
Projected Lineup: Reign vs. Condors, Plus Update on Portillo’s Injury
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