Only two games remain before the AHL All-Star break for coach Andrew Lord’s Ontario Reign, and they won’t be freebies. This weekend features a home-and-home series against the third place Condors, set to kick off Friday night in Bakersfield.
The Condors have been playing strong hockey as of late. They enter the matchup riding a three-game winning streak and boast a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 contests. Much of that success has been driven by 24-year-old Quinn Hutson, who has been a catalyst offensively with 24 goals and 18 assists in 39 games this season.
Furthermore, their recent surge has tightened the Pacific Division race. Colorado and Ontario, who sit first and second respectively, are currently deadlocked at 60 points. Meanwhile, Bakersfield sits just three points back at 57 and holds a game in hand on the Reign.
Safe to say, this two-game set will carry significant weight for both teams.
With that in mind, Ontario will receive a significant boost to its lineup tonight. Captain Joe Hicketts, who was recalled by LA on Wednesday, is back with the Reign and is expected to slot into the lineup in Bakersfield.
In other blueline updates, Kings prospect Jakub Dvorak is a little banged up and will sit this one out. Fellow LA hopeful Otto Salin in nearing a return yet isn’t quite ready to draw in tonight.
Overall, this will be the first time in nearly two weeks where Ontario will dress both Kenny Connors and Hicketts in the same lineup, adding an important layer of stability and leadership to the group.
In net, Erik Portillo will make his first start following a rare loss. Before his outing last Sunday, the 25-year-old netminder had rattled off 10 straight wins. He’ll look to get back in the win column tonight with his first start vs. the Condors in more than year. That game was on Jan. 24, 2025 — also in Bakersfield — and Portillo gave up only two goals that night en route to a win.
One major key to a potential victory for Ontario tonight will be a stronger third period. Over their last four games, the Reign have managed a combined total of just 12 shots during the final frame of regulation. Said differently, that’s 12 shots across 80 minutes of play. Thus, improving their late-game push will likely be critical.
The same two teams will square off tomorrow night at Toyota Arena in Ontario.
Reign Projected Lineup vs. Condors
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Lee – Gawdin – Chromiak
Alexandrov – Connors – Guttman
Jamsen – Pinelli – Wright
Hughes – Lawrence – Doty
Hicketts – Bolduc
Booth – Millar
Kirsanov – Rego
Portillo (starter)
Salin
Likely scratches: (F) Brown, Ziemmer and (D) Dvorak, Salin
Recalled to LA: Ward
Injured: Burroughs
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time and will be streamed via FloSports. Additionally, a Reign radio feed is available here.
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