If there was ever a “best” time for a team to heat up and go on a run, the final month of the season is far and away that moment.
The Ontario Reign were put to the test Wednesday at the Dollar Loan Center Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson to face a Silver Knights team looking to snap the five-game winning streak that the visitors rolled into town with.
Things in Clark County started quickly with immediate fireworks when the Silver Knights scored twice in the opening 2:06. Just one minute later, hope for the road team was swiftly restored when leading scorer Sammy Fagemo (38) – playing in his first game back from missing three games with an injury – received a clever pass courtesy of Brandt Clarke from up high to slip past the defenders and beat the goaltender one-on-one.
You can always bet on @samuelfagemo#ReignTrain | #ONTvsHSK pic.twitter.com/wmEPSdf0OF
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 4, 2024
And after all that, there was still 57 minutes left to play in this one.
Hayden Hodgson (5) tied the game late in the opening frame, and then, to start the second period, Andre Lee (6) scored on the power play to make it 3-2.
At the end of 40 minutes and holding a one-goal lead, it was clear that the Reign had all eyes on a victory; however, the Silver Knights weren’t going to let Ontario head home so quickly. With three minutes off the board in the third period, the home team evened the score 3-3 and beat Reign starter Aaron Dell with a snapshot from the dots.
Back and forth action ensued until Colton Young (2) broke the spell and put Ontario up 4-3 with seven minutes remaining. The Reign lost the lead only one minute later, when they allowed the Silver Knights to score on an uncontested breakaway while shorthanded.
The lively affair headed to overtime as both teams were tied at four goals apiece before Ontario turned to their most dynamic forward. Pulling away from the defenders to create a 2-on-1, Fagemo (39) received a pass from T.J. Tynan that he one-timed with authority to claim the overtime victory, 5-4.
With his 39th goal of the season, Fagemo moved into sole position of AHL leading goal scorer (all while playing in 16 fewer games). The Reign have earned victories in six straight, which is their second-longest stretch of the season behind a recent eight-game streak that was snapped in March.
The Reign are also in a late season stretch where they’ve earned points in 18 of the past 21 games (15-3-3), making them the hottest team in the American Hockey League over the past months, as they now sit second in the Pacific Division standings.
For a team that could have slumped away after digging themselves an early two-goal deficit, the Reign stuck with their pre-game plan and showed poise in their early comeback. When coach Marco Sturm told Mayor’s Manor two weeks ago that he’s preparing his team for playoffs, this is one game he’ll turn back to.
Sammy Fagemo: The 24-year-old dynamo has had quite the year. After starting the season with the Kings, being claimed by Nashville on waivers, being reclaimed by LA shortly thereafter, and a four-game stint with the Kings, Fagemo has settled in Ontario – for now.
With his overtime winner, Fagemo is tied with fellow teammate Akil Thomas (currently assigned to LA) for the most game-winning-goals in the AHL, with nine. The fourth-year pro has 32 points (26G, 6A) over his past 24 games.
Andre the Giant: With goals in two straight games back from injury, Lee now has 10 points in 29 games. He’s faced an abbreviated season of injuries and setbacks, and even so, he’s tied his career high with six goals on the season. His infusion of talent, tenacity, and levity was the topic of discussion with Sturm this week.
Streak Extended: Tyler Madden extended his points streak with an assist credited on Lee’s power play goal. The New York native has seven points (2G, 5A) in six straight games, which is his longest streak of the season.
Rookie Clarke: The charismatic freshman has played in 11 games since returning from his call up to the NHL, and while there was a bit of a slow start, he has contributed four assists over the past five games.
Veteran Dell: The journeyman goaltender has found a steady home in his return to play in the AHL, and specifically, in his most recent stretch. While Dell allowed four goals-against in this one, over the past eight games, he boasts a record of 7-0-1 with 2.00 goals-against-average and a .935 save percentage.
The Reign only have seven games remaining on the season and host the visiting Barracuda on Saturday at Toyota Arena, where they look to earn their seventh straight win against a team that sits at the bottom of the league standings.
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