There’s no place like home.
Or at least that’s a theory the Ontario Reign are willing to test out in March.
Since January 23, they’ve played 12 of their last 14 games on the road. Things are about to change, though. Wednesday marks the first of five straight games to be played in Ontario, and kicks off a stretch where the Reign will only see a road building five times over the next 18 games (and three of those five will be played in the familiar confines of San Diego).
Currently tied with Stockton atop the Pacific Division Standings at 64 points each, Ontario does trail in points percentage, .744 to .711 — as the Reign have played two additional games. The two teams won’t meet up head-to-head until April 9, so there’s a lot of hockey left to play in the month of games leading up to that showdown.
Immediately in front of the Reign is a Tucson team that took them down 6-5 last Saturday, before Ontario dominated the rematch on Sunday by a final score of 5-1. Offense has been the name of the game during the season long series, as a combined goal total over nine goals is about average when they play.
LA Kings roster move…
Lias Andersson has been assigned to AHL Ontario on a conditioning assignment.
He hasn't played an NHL game since Jan. 8 in Detroit. Recently returned to full contact at practice.
Beginning tonight, the Reign will play 9 of 12 March games at home.
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 2, 2022
Ontario Reign roster move…
LA Kings prospect Johan Sodergran has been re-routed from AHL Ontario to Eisbären Berlin (DEL).
After playing 48 games with the Reign last year, Sodergran has been limited to 7 AHL games this season. Will give him a chance to play, ONT roster full.
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 2, 2022
While we’re still awaiting an update on the status of Alex Turcotte (he’s been out since February 12), — we’re hearing that although he is “getting better,” Turcotte will not be available this week — the Kings/Reign did make a few roster moves over the past 24 hours that will play into tonight’s lineup. Forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan was recalled to LA for their four-game road trip, while Lias Andersson was assigned to the AHL for a conditioning assignment.
Akil Thomas, who sat out Sunday’s game as a healthy scratch, will return to action tonight. He had double shoulder surgery last summer and was sidelined for several months. After being a runner-up for Player of the Year honors last season and tabbed as Most Likely to Breakout in 2021-22, the 22-year-old forward has been slow to regain his previous form. In 17 games thus far this year, Thomas has recorded a single assist. He joined us on KOTP a few months back to discuss his journey (linked below).
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. TUCSON ROADRUNNERS
Vilardi – Kupari – Fagemo
Madden – Tynan – Frk
Tkachev – Thomas – Andersson
Wagner – Sutter – Doty
Other options include: Burke, Dudas, Turcotte
Gaunce – Spence
Wolanin – Grans
Kasastul – Strand
Other options include: Phillips
Villalta (starter)
Lethemon
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm tonight and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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Lead photo via Mike Zitek
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