With their playoff spot secured, Coach Andrew Lord and the Ontario Reign are setting their sights on the Pacific Division title. Friday night's 3-2 win in Tucson clinched their place in the Calder Cup Playoffs, and now they're aiming to extend their winning streak against the Roadrunners to seven games in their back-to-back weekend series.
The standout performance came from Martin Chromiak, who dazzled with two goals and an assist, propelling him to the top of the team leaderboard with 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists). His balanced scoring is a testament to his all-around offensive prowess, and he’s just a goal away from tying Andre Lee for the team lead. With Chromiak's stellar play, it's hard to argue against him being the team’s MVP this season.
Adding to the Reign's offensive firepower is Aatu Jamsen, a promising Kings prospect. Before his recent injury, Jamsen was on a tear, racking up 17 points in 23 games, including six goals in his last 10 outings. This surge followed a slow start to the season, and his potential return tonight could be the boost Ontario needs for consistency.
In goal, Erik Portillo is expected to start. After a remarkable stretch earlier in the season with 15 wins in 17 games, Portillo has hit a rough patch, losing his last four. He hasn't experienced a five-game skid since late 2023, so tonight's game is crucial for him to regain his form.
For those looking to dive deeper into Reign discussions, this week's Future Considerations podcast is a must-listen.
Here's the expected lineup:
- Lee - Gawdin - Chromiak
- Alexandrov - Brown - Guttman
- Pinelli - Connors - Ziemmer
- Jamsen - Hughes - Doty
Defense:
- Kirsanov - Booth
- Novikov - Millar
- Dvorak - Hicketts
Goaltenders:
- Portillo (starter)
- Copley
Likely scratches include Isogai and Jenik, with Salin out on defense. Burroughs remains injured, and Wright has been recalled to the NHL.
Stay tuned for any updates during pregame warmups.