West Valley City, UTAH – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings, shut out the Utah Grizzlies, 4-0, on Monday evening. A crowd of 2,633 was in the stands at the E-Center in the last match of a three-game series with the Reign.

The opening period of the third match between the clubs in four days was quiet except for one power play opportunity for each club that was killed off by the opposing PK units. The first goal of the game didn’t cross the goal line until the second period. Right wing Tony Voce’s shot from the slot sailed past Grizzlies netminder Mitch O’Keefe only 15 seconds after play began in the middle frame. Center Jon Francisco nabbed the assist on what would be the game-winning goal for the Reign.

Reign center Tim Kraus made it a 2-0 game at 8:27. The unassisted goal marked Kraus’ seventh of the season. Voce had a two-goal night for the second consecutive match after his shot during an Ontario man advantage hit twine at 18:30. Francisco recorded his second assist (and fourth assist in the last two games), while right wing Sean O’Connor claimed his first.

O’Connor also picked up a goal in the match late in the final period. At 17:25, the puck hit a Utah defenseman and bounced out to O’Connor, who stretched out to tap it in past O’Keefe on the goaltender’s left hand side. Ontario closed out the three-game road series in Utah with their second consecutive win and a series record of 2-1-0. Curtis Darling recorded his second shutout of the season with the win and a final score of Reign 4, Grizzlies 0.

Three stars:
1. ONT - Curtis Darling
2. ONT- Tony Voce
3. ONT - Jon Francisco

Notes:
• Tony Voce has five points (4g, 1a) in his last three games (1/22/10 – 1/25/10)
• Jon Francisco has four assists in his last two games (1/23/10 – 1/25/10)
• Sean O’Connor has six points (4g, 2a) in his last four games (1/17/09 – 1/25/10)