Colorado would earn the only power play opportunity of the first period, but would be held off the scoresheet as the two teams left for the first intermission with the game still scoreless.
The second period would see both netminders steal the show as the Reign outscored the Eagles 13-10 in the middle frame, but neither side would surrender a goal and the match would remain scoreless after 40 minutes of play.
Colorado would eventually score the first goal of the game just 39 seconds into the third period, when forward Tristen Nielsen lifted a backhander from the side of the crease past Copley, putting the Eagles on top, 1-0.
Ontario responded less than three minutes later when forward Taylor Ward streaked across the ice before slamming the puck into the back of the net, tying the score at 1-1 at 2:51 of the final frame.
A four-minute double minor for high-sticking would put the Reign on an extended power play and shift the momentum in the match. Just four seconds into the man advantage, Gawdin positioned himself between the circles before deflecting a shot from the point past Colorado goalkeeper Trent Miner. The count would give Ontario a 2-1 lead with 10:36 left in the game.
The Reign would then capitalize on the back half of the double-minor, as Gawdin spun around and fired a wrister from the slot that would light the lamp and extend Ontario’s advantage to 3-1 at 9:57 of the period.
The Eagles would inch closer when forward Jayson Megna fielded a cross-slot pass and tucked it between Copley’s leg pads, cutting the deficit to 3-2 with 4:50 to play.
Colorado would pull Miner in favor of the extra attacker, but would get no closer and fall by a final score of 3-2.
Miner suffered the loss in net, allowing three goals on 31 shots.
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