Streaks End as Reign Top Steelheads in Ontario

The Idaho Steelheads (34-12-4) saw their 11-game unbeaten-in-regulation streak and Mark Derlago?s 15-game point streak come to a close tonight in Ontario as the Reign (19-25-7) emerged victoriously over the National Conference?s top team by a 4-1 score. Idaho got on the board first with Michael Neal taking a pass in the slot from Adam Huxley and one-timing the puck home at 2:09. In the second period, Ontario answered to tie the game at 11:14 when Tim Kraus scored, tipping home a Greg Hogeboom rip from the point. Just 1:31 later, Michael Pelech put Ontario on top when he took a pass in front of the net and fired the puck by Idaho?s Rejean Beauchemin. Peter Lenes scored at 13:15 of the third period on the power play to put Ontario on top 3-1; Lenes appeared to be the last Reign player to touch the puck, as it took a few bounces prior to crossing the goal line behind Beauchemin. Ontario?s captain, Jon Francisco, buried the empty-netter at 19:39 of the third period to secure the victory for the Reign. Rejean Beauchemin?s record falls to 19-7-1 with the loss; he stopped 12 of 15 shots. Curtis Darling stopped 29 of 30 in the win; he is now 15-20-6 on the season. The Steelheads and Reign conclude the two-game set tomorrow night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. The puck drops at 7:00 PM MST. The Steelheads return to Qwest Arena Wednesday night to take on the Alaska Aces in a game slated to begin at 7:00 PM.