By: Eric He

photo by San Jose Barracuda: The Ontario Reign find the back of the net in their 3-1 win over the San Jose Barracuda to take a 2-1 lead in the AHL Playoffs at Citizens Business Bank Arena Thursday night

The San Jose Barracuda dropped Game 3 to the Ontario Reign 3-1 on Thursday night, and they now trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

The Reign dominated on the shot counter, outshooting the Barracuda 43-15. It showed on the scoreboard, as Ontario controlled the first period, jumping ahead 1-0 on a deflection by Adrian Kempe off a shot by Michael Mersch.

In the second period, the Reign took advantage of a major penalty to Trevor Parkes on a power play goal by Nic Dowd. They extended their lead in the third period as Adrian Kempe converted on an odd-man rush.

Troy Groesnick replaced Aaron Dell in net midway through the third for the Barracuda, and Nikolay Goldobin put them on the board shortly afterwards, but it was too little, too late in a two-goal defeat.

In a game where the Barracuda were outplayed and out chanced by the top-seed Reign, they will need a much better effort in Game 4 on Friday if they hope to keep their season alive.