Well, that was fun…
After taking a multi-hour bus ride to Bakersfield and taking warmups on Friday night, the Reign-Condors game was abruptly postponed for what was deemed “unsafe playing conditions.” Essentially, there was a bent stanchion and some glass that wasn’t cooperating. The game will be made up at a date to be determined later.
Both groups now travel to Ontario for what was supposed to be the back half of a home-and-home series this weekend.
If yesterday’s worthless travel wasn’t rough enough for the Reign, think defenseman Tyler Inamoto and forward Nikita Pavlychev. With a few skaters up with the Kings, both players were recalled from ECHL Greenville a few days ago — just to make sure coach Marco Sturm had enough healthy bodies. Their services weren’t needed and they’re now headed back to the East Coast.
Turning his attention to tonight’s game, Sturm should be happy to have Toby Bjornfot and Sammy Fagemo back and available for his lineup. Both players are expected to play.
Without a morning skate, some of the below projection is a guestimate. We’d expect Kim Nousiainen to most likely rotate out, as he’s done quite frequently of late. How Sturm will work Fagemo back in is likely the bigger question. He had Nate Thompson as his center for his last game with the Reign, so we’ll slot him in there for now.
Ontario has hosted three of the four previous games played between the Reign and Condors this season. In those games, the home team has gone 2-1… including a 5-2 victory in their most recent matchup earlier this month. Kings prospect Quinton Byfield had a hat trick in that game. According to reports from Mayor’s Manor editor John Hoven, the 20-year-old center is not expected to be called back up to LA this week. For more on the planned timing of adding him back to the NHL roster, see here:
VIDEO: Hoven on Kings Intermission Report via Bally Sports West
One more note – tonight is the annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Former Reign forward Martin Frk scored the goal that made the plush animals fly last year. For some additional history, there wasn’t such a game in the shortened 2020-21 season (that was played exclusively at Toyota Sports Performance Center). The year prior, it was Rasmus Kupari who triggered flying fur. He’s up with the Kings today, though, so the honor will need to come from somebody new.
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
Turcotte – Byfield – Madden
Andersson – Tynan – Chromiak
Quine / Ward – Thompson – Fagemo
Lee – Helenius – Dudas
Bjornfot – Grans
Moverare – Gaunce
Bisson – Allard
Petersen
Villalta
Game scratches: Nousiainen, Wagner
Recalled to NHL: Kupari
Out injured: Thomas, Doty
Puck drop is scheduled for 6pm PST tonight and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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