In sports, it’s not always how you start, but how you finish. Ontario opened their 2022 Calder Cup playoff by falling behind 1-0 just 11 seconds into the game and trailed 2-0 halfway through the first period. Four straight Reign goals had the home team firmly in control, yet they added three more goals in the final period to help seal a 7-4 victory.
New mask for Villalta
📸 @Stopani_Photos pic.twitter.com/z3XSeseEjd
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) May 5, 2022
Few more shots from warmies at #theGarage
Game 1 — ONT v SD pic.twitter.com/6W55u3wuxP
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) May 5, 2022
First period highlights in ONT
📸 @Stopani_Photos pic.twitter.com/Al5XyMTSfx
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) May 5, 2022
2nd period highlights in ONT
📸 @Stopani_Photos pic.twitter.com/TJszQWqX3s
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) May 5, 2022
Given that the AHL opted for a shorter, best-of-three format in the opening round, Ontario could punch their ticket to Round 2 with another win on Wednesday. Although it will be played in the same building, the league has officially designated tonight as a ‘home’ game for San Diego.
Several Ontario regulars sat out in Game 1. Heading into tonight, there are two schools of thought – (a) don’t change anything coming off a win or (b) work in some of your other players to keep everybody fresh.
Should the Reign coaching staff opt with the latter, that could mean Kings prospects Andre Lee and Samuel Helenius may see action at forward, as well as the possibility of Kim Nousiainen on the blueline. Additionally, as we’ve reported previously, Tyler Madden is said to be getting closer to a return. Will tonight be the night?
For now, we’ll use last night’s lineup as a guide for Game 2.
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. SAN DIEGO GULLS
JAD – Tynan – Frk
Tkachev – Turcotte – Fagemo
Wagner – Thomas – Ward
Dudas – Sutter – Doty
Other options include: Helenius, Lee
Injured: Madden
Gaunce – Grans
Wolanin – Allard
Hickey – Nogier
Other options include: Inamoto, Nousiainen
Villalta (starter)
Hrenak
San Diego lineup from last night:
Here's who's suiting up for Game One!#LetsGoGulls | #FlightToTheCup pic.twitter.com/x153bZU0rP
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) May 5, 2022
Puck drop for Game 2 is scheduled for 7pm PST tonight and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
Lead photo via Daniel Stopani.
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