There’s no other way to put it, Wednesday night’s Game 1 in was an unmitigated disaster for the Ontario Reign.
Things were already off to a rough start prior to puck drop and the challenges continued to come all night long. For starters, LA Kings prospect Akil Thomas had to miss the game due a personal family obligation. With his absence, Jaret Anderson Dolan — who scored a few goals vs. the Eagles this season and, overall, amassed 47 points in 54 games during the regular season — was moved from LW1 to fill Thomas’ spot as the third line center. Then, midway through the first period, center Alex Turcotte was injured and didn’t return for the remainder of the game, leaving a hole at 2C.
That play on Turcotte has resulted in a suspension for Colorado.
Colorado's Andreas Englund and Kiefer Sherwood have been suspended one game as a consequence of their actions in Wednesday's Game 1 vs. Ontario.
📝: https://t.co/tV779QrdxP pic.twitter.com/0CYj5yVFEN
— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) May 13, 2022
Andreas Englund has been suspended for one game for this illegal check to the head of Alex Turcotte. #Reign pic.twitter.com/2JLyK40MoH
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) May 13, 2022
Also, Kiefer Sherwood has been suspended for one game for cross-checking Thomas Hickey in the face. pic.twitter.com/kLZpeeOx6s
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) May 13, 2022
In net, Ontario started Game 1 with Matt Villalta in net, yet he was pulled in the first period, making way for David Hrenak. Villalta later re-entered the game, ultimately giving up seven goals in a 10-1 blowout loss.
So, where do the Reign go from here?
For starters, Villalta is no longer an option, as he’s been recalled to the NHL.
Turcotte will remain out and the sense we’re getting is this could be more than just a day-to-day situation. A cross-check to the head is nothing to take lightly, and the fact it only resulted in a one game suspension is rather surprising.
Thomas is expected to return for Game 2, so that should also provide a little relief to the forward group.
Below is a guestimate how things will be put together based on the limited amount of information available come playoff time.
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. COLORADO EAGLES
JAD – Tynan – Frk
Madden – Thomas – Fagemo
Tkachev – Sutter – Ward
Dudas – Helenius – Doty
Other options include: Lee, Pavlychev, Wagner
Injured: Turcotte
Gaunce – Grans
Wolanin – Allard
Hickey – Nogier
Other options include: Inamoto, Nousiainen
Hrenak (unconfirmed starter)
Sparks
Lethemon
Puck drop for Game 2 in the best-of-five series is scheduled for 6pm PST tonight and can be viewed on AHL TV.
Lead photo via Daniel Stopani.
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