For the first of three games at home this week, the Ontario Reign will host the visiting San Jose Barracuda at Toyota Arena on Tuesday night.
On the surface, results thus far this season would suggest coach Marco Sturm and his squad should have this game firmly under control. They are a perfect 5-0 in previous matchups in 2023.24, including a pair of shutouts.
However, this one should be anything but ordinary.
Sure, Sammy Fagemo has been the best Reign player this season — he’s been on a different level than nearly every other player in the league.
However, outside of the talented Swede (and Akil Thomas), forward Alex Turcotte and defenseman Jacob Moverare have been two consistent performers for Sturm all year.
Neither are with the team right now and things are getting thin in Ontario.
Never one to complain, as Sturm knows what he signed up for in the AHL — where teams essentially live to support their NHL parent — it won’t be easy this week. If this was a professional boxing match, the corner would be telling their fighter to bite down on their mouthpiece and give it all they have.
One additional note to pass along… GM Rich Seeley made a depth signing on Tuesday and will be interesting to see where it goes. He added defenseman Luke Rowe.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. BARRACUDA
Ward – Tynan – Fagemo
Hudon – Thomas – Madden
Pavlychev – Helenius – Chromiak
Hodgson – Pinelli – Doty
Connauton – Santini
Inamoto – Hicketts
Krygier – Nousiainen
Portillo (starter)
Dell
Other roster options include: (F) Young and (D) N/A
Injured: Lee (out until March)
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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