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Unlike years past, everything is going right for the Ontario Reign in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Coming off a two-game sweep of Bakersfield in a best-of-three Round 1 series, coach Marco Sturm and squad now turn their attention to Abbotsford for a best-of-five games in Round 2.
Per AHL rules, when the two teams are more than 300 miles apart, instead of a traditional 2-2-1 format, the series converts to a 2-3 game split. The higher seeded team — Ontario in this case — has the choice of opening the series at home for two games or starting with a pair on the road before coming home for Game 3 and the potential Games 4 and 5. In this case, the Reign have elected Option A, playing games at Toyota Arena on Wednesday and Sunday before heading to Canada for the series balance.
Before we get to the lineup and share a few notes about the two teams, first a few notes. Kings prospect Jacob Ingham and the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits were eliminated from play on Tuesday night. From what we’re hearing, the team is currently working on getting him added to the AHL roster. Thus, he could be joining the club during Round 2.
There are also some exciting TV tidbits to pass along. First, this Sunday’s Game 2 will be televised locally on KCAL 9. They previously aired two regular season games from Ontario over the past few months. More on the deal was discussed during Kings Of The Podcast. There’s also more on this front, as Samsung TV is launching a new all sports offering for customers with Samsung TVs. This will be available for free. They’ll officially begin airing Reign games next season; however, they’ll possibly even air some playoff games should Ontario advance into the later rounds. More on this deal to come soon.
As for the lineup heading into Round 2, Sturm has some decisions to make. He opted to rest rookie Franky Pinelli and Martin Chromiak for both games against the Condors. Going with what he described as a ‘heavier’ lineup clearly worked. Will he do it again or will either forward slide in for Game 1 vs. Abbotsford? The latter did take warmups last time out, so perhaps that’s a tell as to what’s to come. It could also mean nothing.
Chromiak did lead Reign players with five points (2G, 3A) over the eight regular season matchups between the two clubs. However, it was Pinelli who tied Sammy Fagemo for the team lead in goals (3) when they squared off during the 2023-24 campaign.
In theory, the Reign come into this series with a little more rest, as the Canucks needed three games (and twice needing overtime) to make it out of Round 1. Two things are for sure, though. First, forward Tyler Madden has come up huge in playoffs thus far, recording the game winning goal in each of the two contests against Bakersfield. He also had a pair of goals in the regular season series vs. Abbotsford.
Second, Erik Portillo will be Sturm’s starting goaltender. The freshman netminder posted a .964 save percentage during Round 1.
The last two meetings between these Pacific Division rivals came in Ontario nearly two months ago. Both games were victories for the Reign (5-3 and 2-1). Pinelli scored in each game and Portillo earned the victory on Night 2, stopping 17 of 18 shots.
Reign Projected Lineup vs. Condors
Similar to Round 1, tonight’s lineup projection is a bit of a guestimate because Sturm did not tip his hand during the team’s practices this week. Even so, we’re thinking he’ll find a way to get Chromiak into the lineup.
Turcotte – Tynan – Fagemo
Hudon – Thomas – Madden
Lee – Helenius – Ward
Chromiak – Pavlychev – Doty
Hicketts – Clarke
Connauton – Santini
Nousiainen – Wylie
Portillo (starter)
Bednard
Other roster options include: (F) Francis, Hodgson, Pinelli and (D) Krygier, Millar, Rowe
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on AHLTV.
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