Wright scores in overtime as Reign rally past Firebirds 6-5
Taylor Ward scored twice for Ontario, which erased two-goal deficits in both clubs' season opener.
Jared Wright scored 39 seconds into overtime to give the Ontario Reign a 6-5 win over the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena on Friday, Oct. 2, in both clubs' season opener.
Ontario recovered from 3-1 and 5-3 deficits. Taylor Ward's second goal, on the power play at 15:16 of the third period, tied the game before Wright settled it in overtime. The Reign earned two standings points; the Firebirds took one for the overtime loss.
Jani Nyman scored twice in the second period for Coachella Valley. J.R. Avon, Eduard Sale and captain John Hayden supplied the Firebirds' first-period goals, with Jagger Firkus recording two assists. Ward scored twice for Ontario, while Martin Chromiak, Lane Pederson and Francesco Pinelli also scored.
Firebirds coach Derek Laxdal told The Sporting Tribune that unnecessary retaliation penalties and an overtime coverage mistake hurt his team, while praising the progress its offence showed early in the season.
The clubs meet again at Toyota Arena in Ontario on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. Pacific. Coachella Valley's next home game is Friday, Oct. 9, against the San Diego Gulls at 7 p.m. Pacific.
