Tonight’s preseason game in Anaheim wasn’t even on the original schedule for either the Ontario Reign or San Diego Gulls. Although, technically, one could claim this is a rescheduled affair from what was supposed to be the first exhibition game for both teams back on January 16 in Irvine. That game, and a planned rematch the next day, were both cancelled at the last minute due to some protocol situations surrounding the Gulls.
Since then, the Reign have gone on to post a 2-1 record during the preseason, losing their most recent game on Monday. They’ve now had several days to work things out in practice and new coach John Wroblewski is hoping to get back on the winning side of things tonight at the Honda Center.
In their three games played under Wroblewski, Ontario has received goals from:
GM1 – Quinton Byfield and Blaine Byron
GM2 – Tyler Madden (2), Akil Thomas, Arthur Kaliyev, Jack Poehling
GM3 – Akil Thomas, Austin Strand
For the Gulls, they’ve only played two preseason games, and hold a 1-1 record after defeating the San Jose Barracuda 5-1 and then dropping a rematch 4-1.
This will be the only exhibition game between the two SoCal rivals before the regular season gets underway next weekend. There will be no shortage of familiarity in 2021, though. The Kings and Ducks AHL clubs will meet 10 times during the regular season, more than any other matchup in the Pacific Division. The first of those games is scheduled for February 10 in Irvine. All regular season games can be streamed via AHL TV.
Tonight’s game can be streamed for free on the Gulls YouTube page.
Ontario Reign Lineup for Friday, Jan. 29 vs. San Diego
Tyler Madden – Rasmus Kupari – Arthur Kaliyev
Blaine Byron – Akil Thomas – Mikey Eyssimont
Jack Poehling – Aidan Dudas – Nick Halloran
Nick Poehling – Drake Rymsha – Jacob Doty
Tobias Björnfot – Austin Strand
Daniel Brickley – Sean Durzi
Jacob Moverare – Markus Phillips
JF Berube (starter)
Jacob Ingham
Tonight's lines:
De Leo – S. Carrick – Zegras
Lundestrom – Agozzino – Perreault
Tracey – Groulx – Poturalski
Kanzig – Morand – LoritoLowe – Drysdale
Benoit – Curran
T. Carrick – MahuraDostal
Glass#LetsGoGulls | #ONTvsSD— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) January 30, 2021
For more Reign related notes and quotes, see the articles linked below.
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Why Ontario Reign Preseason is So Important for Byfield and Kaliyev
Kings Of the Podcast: Ep. Q5 with Akil Thomas, LA Kings Prospect
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Where’s Sutter tonight?
Healthy scratch.