Ontario Reign Look to Bounce Back Against Slumping Roadrunners
For just the third time this season, the Ontario Reign find themselves staring down the barrel of a potential three-game skid. That’s not a position Andrew Lord’s squad has been in often, and tonight’s matchup against the Tucson Roadrunners presents a prime opportunity to steady the ship.
Tucson rolls into town having dropped six of their last eight, and while that might suggest a vulnerable opponent, the Reign know better than to take anything for granted - especially with their own form wobbling.
There’s a bit of a roster shuffle at play, too. Kings prospect Kenny Connors is back in the lineup for Ontario and is expected to suit up tonight.
That’s a boost, no doubt, but it comes with a trade-off. Team captain Joe Hicketts has been recalled to the NHL on an emergency basis after Mikey Anderson exited Sunday’s game early.
It’s a classic case of give and take - Ontario gains a young spark plug in Connors but loses a steadying veteran presence on the blue line.
This will be the third meeting between the Reign and Roadrunners this season, with the first two coming in the opening week of the 2025-26 campaign. Tucson edged out a 5-4 overtime win on opening night, but Ontario responded quickly with a 4-2 victory just days later to even the series.
One name that continues to pop up in this matchup is Andre Lee. He scored Ontario’s first goal of the season against Tucson - a moment that, in hindsight, feels like it set the tone for his year.
Since returning from a recent stint with the Kings, Lee has been a difference-maker, notching three goals in five games. If the Reign are going to get back in the win column tonight, they’ll need more of that from him.
They’ll also need a bounce-back performance from veteran goaltender Pheonix Copley. His last outing in San Diego was a tough one - not because of his play, but because of the circumstances.
Copley faced 39 shots and turned away 35 of them, but the fourth goal - a borderline goalie interference call - stood after being ruled a goal on the ice. It was a frustrating finish to an otherwise strong effort, and Ontario came away with nothing to show for it.
Tonight, he’ll get the start again, and the Reign will be counting on him to anchor the back end while the offense looks to capitalize on a Tucson team that’s been leaking goals.
Projected Reign Lineup vs. Roadrunners
Forwards
Pinelli - Gawdin - Chromiak
Jamsen - Alexandrov - Guttman
Lee - Connors - Wright
Hughes - Lawrence - Doty
Defense
Dvorak - Bolduc
Kirsanov - Rego
Booth - Salin
Goaltenders
Copley (starter)
Portillo
Notes:
- Likely scratches: (F) Brown, Ziemmer
- Recalled to LA: Hicketts, Ward
- Injured: Burroughs, Millar
The Reign have been a resilient group all season, rarely letting losses snowball. Tonight’s game is a chance to prove that again - to reset, refocus, and remind the Pacific Division that Ontario doesn’t stay down for long.