Yes, it’s pouring rain in SoCal. More importantly, it’s Reign game night in Ontario.
Joining them on the ice at Toyota Arena on Friday will be a rather formidable Barracuda team — one that’s actually given the Reign a tough time all season long.
Separated by 15 points in the standings after 50 games, it might be tempting to think of San Jose as not up to the level of Ontario this year. That couldn’t be further from the truth, though. In five head-to head contests thus far, the Reign have dropped three of them. Sure, one loss was in overtime and another came via the shootout. However, that further speaks to the closeness of this rivalry in 2022-23, where the combined goal totals after five games are 15-14 in Ontario’s favor.
As has been the case for over a week now, forward Alex Turcotte will remain out of the lineup following an injury suffered on this play.
Based on how coach Marco Sturm set up the alignment at practice on Thursday, we’re expecting his top two lines to remain intact, with a slight change in his bottom-6. Veteran Nate Thompson has been part of a trio of players, along with Tyrell Goulbourne and Nikita Pavlychev, who have been rotating in and out. And recently signed Jack Becker has been making the most of his opportunity to earn minutes. Two of that foursome will likely be in the lineup tonight, while the other two sit out and hope to draw back in on Sunday.
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. SAN JOSE BARRACUDA
Andersson – Tynan – Madden
Ward – Quine – Fagemo
Dudas – Pavlychev – Chromiak
Lee – Helenius – Goulbourne
Bisson – Spence
Moverare – Grans
Nousiainen – Allard
Petersen
Villalta
Likely game scratches: Becker, Gaunce, Inamoto, Thompson, Turcotte, Wagner
Recalled to NHL: Bjornfot, Kupari
Out injured: Thomas, Doty
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm PST tonight and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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