As the Ontario Reign gear up for tonight's rematch against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, they're riding a nine-game point streak. Despite dropping their last two games in overtime, the team is eager to secure a win and finish the week strong.
Highlighting the positives, Martin Chromiak is having a standout season, netting his 21st goal last night to give Ontario an early lead. With Chromiak on a one-year, two-way contract, it will be interesting to see how the LA Kings organization handles his future as the season winds down.
In roster news, new forward Jan Jeník, acquired in a recent trade, won't be hitting the ice tonight. Fans might see him in action as soon as next weekend, according to sources.
A notable stat from Friday's game: it marked the fifth time this season Ontario has lost back-to-back games. However, they've managed to avoid a three-game losing streak, which bodes well for their resilience.
Erik Portillo is expected to start in net tonight, having won 15 of his last 18 decisions. This, combined with the team's current form, sets Ontario up for a potentially strong performance.
If any changes occur during pregame warmups, updates will be provided.
Projected Lines:
- Alexandrov - Gawdin - Guttman
- Lee - Connors - Chromiak
- Brown - Pinelli - Ziemmer
- Isogai - Hughes - Doty
Defense Pairings:
- Kirsanov - Booth
- Novikov - Millar
- Hicketts - Salin
Goalies:
- Portillo (starter)
- Cooley
Likely scratches include forward Jeník and Mastrodonato. Injured players are Burroughs, Dvorak, and Jamsen.
Let's see if Ontario can capitalize on their momentum and notch a win tonight.