When it comes to AHL hockey, it simply does not get any better than the Ontario Reign vs. San Diego Gulls. And they’re meeting up in the playoffs? Even better.
Perhaps the only bummer about this series is that it will go a maximum of three games. As we reported earlier, the best-of-three series will be played exclusively in Ontario. However, Game 2 on Thursday will officially be designated as a ‘home’ game for San Diego.
Not surprising, considering we are now into the postseason, but we have yet to confirm any information for tonight’s lineup. Even so, we’ll try to piece things together off the limited info available.
LA Kings prospect Alex Turcotte returned in Ontario’s regular season finale last weekend, marking his first appearance since suffering an injury in mid-February. We would expect him back in the lineup again tonight.
Joining him at forward should be team captain Brett Sutter and leading goal scorer Martin Frk, both of whom rested last weekend.
We’re assuming Austin Wagner and Taylor Ward will be the odd men out. Again, nothing has been confirmed just yet.
From all indications, Tyler Madden is close, but still not quite ready to return.
Defensively, we are expecting Cameron Gaunce and Thomas Hickey to rejoin the lineup tonight.
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. San Diego Gulls
JAD – Tynan – Frk
Tkachev – Turcotte – Fagemo
Wagner – Thomas – Dudas
Lee – Sutter – Doty
Other options include: Helenius, Ward
Injured: Madden
Nousiainen – Hickey
Gaunce – Grans
Wolanin – Allard
Other options include: Inamoto, Nogier
Villalta (starter)
Hrenak
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm PST tonight and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
Lead photo via Daniel Stopani.
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