The Ontario Reign came into Monday’s matinee matchup looking to get back in the win column, but a strong third period from the Abbotsford Canucks had other plans. Despite a pair of goals from Aatu Jämsen and a power-play tally from Glenn Gawdin, the Reign couldn’t hold off a late surge, falling 5-3 in front of 5,461 fans at Rogers Arena.
Let’s start with the bright spot: Jämsen. The 21-year-old forward delivered his first multi-goal performance of the season, showcasing the kind of offensive instincts that have made him one of Ontario’s most intriguing young pieces.
His second goal, a sharp-angle snipe just under four minutes into the third period, looked like it might be the difference-maker. Instead, it was the last time the Reign would find the back of the net.
After Jämsen’s go-ahead goal made it 3-2, Abbotsford flipped the switch. Jujhar Khaira evened things up just over two minutes later, cashing in on a rebound in tight.
Then, with 6:32 left, Jonathon Lekkerimäki struck again - his second of the afternoon - with a pinpoint wrist shot from the left circle that beat Pheonix Copley upstairs. Ty Muller added the dagger with a wraparound goal late, sealing Abbotsford’s third straight win and handing Ontario its second consecutive loss.
It was a frustrating finish for the Reign, especially after they opened the game with such promise. Jämsen’s first goal came just over seven minutes into the opening frame - and on Ontario’s first shot of the game.
After a misplay behind the net by Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo, Francesco Pinelli jumped on the puck and fed Jämsen at the edge of the crease. The Finnish winger didn’t miss, giving Ontario the early 1-0 lead despite being outshot 8-3 in the period.
But Abbotsford came out firing in the second. Lekkerimäki tied things up just 38 seconds into the frame with a wrister that clanged off the post and in. Less than two minutes later, Ben Berard finished off a crisp passing sequence with a one-timer that beat Copley high glove side, suddenly giving the Canucks the lead.
Ontario responded with a power-play goal late in the second. Nikita Alexandrov, who quietly had a strong game with two assists, set up Martin Chromiak for a one-timer from the left circle. Gawdin was stationed at the top of the crease and got a stick on it, redirecting the puck past Tolopilo to even the score at 2-2 heading into the final frame.
That third period, though, belonged to Abbotsford. The Canucks outscored the Reign 3-1 in the final 20 minutes, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and forcing Ontario into scramble mode defensively. The Reign simply couldn’t match Abbotsford’s execution down the stretch.
In net, Copley made 22 saves on 27 shots in the loss, while Tolopilo stopped 18 of 21 for the win. Ontario finished 1-for-2 on the power play and killed off the lone penalty they faced.
The Reign won’t have to wait long for a shot at redemption. These two teams will meet again Wednesday night in Ontario, where the Reign will look to regroup, tighten things up in the third period, and snap out of this mini skid.