Maybe — just maybe — the tide is turning for coach Marco Sturm and the Ontario Reign. Winners of three straight, there seems to be some pep in everybody’s step right now.
After basically trading wins and losses for most of January, the Reign then went through a stretch where they lost 10-of-12 games.
However, their current win streak began with an overtime win over the Western Conference leading Coachella Valley Firebirds and most recently featured an 8-2 blowout over San Jose on Tuesday.
Tonight, they’ll faceoff with the Gulls in a rematch, of sorts. The two clubs met up in San Diego last week, while Friday’s contest will be back at Toyota Arena.
Sturm and his squad have to be feeling a bit better about the matchup too. They started the 2023-24 season with a pair of embarrassing losses to their longtime Pacific Division rival. Yet, after earning five out of a possible six points in the three most recent games against the Gulls — including a 3-2 road win last Saturday — things are looking up.
Rookie goalie Erik Portillo, Sammy Fagemo, and Martin Chromiak all helped propel Ontario to their most recent win over San Diego, and all are expected to be available for tonight’s game.
In fact, the only significant lineup change will likely come on the blueline. After leaving the Air Force Academy and signing his first pro contract earlier this week, we’re expecting 25-year-old defenseman Luke Rowe to make his AHL debut. Where he slots in officially won’t be known until warmups; below is just a guestimate.
REIGN ROSTER MOVE…
Ontario has signed Air Force defenseman Luke Rowe to an AHL contract.
His college team is moving on to the playoffs. However, per NCAA rules, he's now out of eligibility since it's been 60+ days after he graduated.
He had received NCAA approval to… https://t.co/W3ehzP5cq0
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) February 27, 2024
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. GULLS
Chromiak – Tynan – Fagemo
Hudon – Thomas – Madden
Pavlychev – Helenius – Ward
Hodgson – Pinelli – Doty
Nousiainen – Hicketts
Connauton – Rowe
Krygier – Santini
Portillo (starter)
Dell
Other roster options include: (F) Young and (D) Inamoto, Wylie
Injured: Lee (out until March)
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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Game day graphic via ALoImages
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