Ontario Reign goalie Erik Portillo makes a save with San Jose Barracuda forward Tristen Robins fighting for position with Reign defenseman Jacob Moverare at Tech CU Arena on Tuesday JAN 9, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Ontario Reign scored every which way but loose in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Tuesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose lost its third straight game to their division rival. Ontario has won three straight games against the ‘Cuda and have won all five meetings this season.

Ontario (19-10-3-1) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Sameul Fagemo continued to torment the Barracuda with his first goal of the contest. Wyatte Wylie set up Fagemo who guided a wrist shot underneath the glove of ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his team leading 17th goal of the season at the 4:05 mark.

“That line as a whole, (T.J.) Tynan, (Samuel) Fagemo, and (Charles) Hudon. They got some talent, they score. Fagemo has a great shot. We can’t give them opportunities because they’ll make you pay,” ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy said.

The Reign doubled its lead early int he second period with a power play goal. Jacob Moverare found Charles Hudon along the right wing and Hudon blasted a one-timer past Makiniemi for his 13th goal of the season at the 2:25 mark.

Ontario scored its third unanswered goal while on the penalty kill. A turnover inside the ‘Cuda zone led to Akil Thomas picking up the puck, getting Makiniemi to go down before tucking in the puck into an open net for a short-handed goal, his 11th of the season at the 5:35 mark.

San Jose (11-16-5-0) out shot Ontario 14-12 in the middle frame but were denied getting on the scoreboard by Reign goalie Erik Portillo who made a few point-blank saves on ‘Cuda chances.

The Barracuda finally broke through late in the third period. Jack Studnicka made a drop pass to Danil Gushchin who beat Portillo with a wrist shot to the far side for his team leading 12th goal of the season at the 12:57 mark.

“Historically you don’t generate a ton (of chances against Ontario) and typically they don’t generate a ton either. So, it’s kind of a boring game. The neutral zone (defense) that they play, they kind of sit back and play a 1-3-1 (formation). So, when you get a chance to score, you really got to take advantage of it,” McCarthy said.

Fagemo sealed the deal for Ontario with an empty net goal, his second goal of the game with 52 seconds remaining in the game. Fagemo has scored five goals in the past two games against the Barracuda.

Portillo (10-4-1-2) finished the game stopping all 36 of the 37 shots he faced to earn his 10th victory on te season. Makiniemi (4-5-0-1) made 27 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Ontario went 1-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Fagemo 2) Hudon 3) Gushchin.

UP NEXT: San Jose begin a home and home series with the Bakersfield Condors on Friday 1/12 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.