Playing in what will only be their second game in a two week stretch, the Reign are in Tucson on Friday night to begin a back-to-back set with the host Roadrunners.
Life hasn’t been easy for Ontario coach Marco Sturm or his players in 2024. Already in the midst of a horrible stretch, where they’ve only had one victory in nine games, their last defeat was especially painful. Two significant forwards — Sammy Helenius and Martin Chromiak — were last minute scratches due to illness and the team had a two-goal lead midway through the third period, only to see it evaporate before falling in a shootout.
Ironically enough, their five-game losing streak began during their last series in Tucson late last month. Ontario dropped that game 5-4, on a night where Helenius had two goals and goaltender Aaron Dell made his Reign debut. The team’s last win came 24 hours prior, against the same Roadrunners team. It was a game that featured a Chromiak hat trick and 41 saves from goalie Erik Portillo.
All three players are expected to play tonight. The below lineup is based upon Wednesday’s practice configuration in El Segundo, prior to the team departing for Arizona. Jacob Doty was rotating in on the fourth line, and we’re projecting him to start. It would be his first game back since being sidelined with an injury on Jan. 16. He’s faced Tucson three previous times this season, even scoring the game-winning goal in one of them.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. ROADRUNNERS
Ward – Tynan – Fagemo
Hudon – Thomas – Madden
Hodgson – Helenius – Chromiak
Young – Pinelli – Doty
Moverare – Hicketts
Connauton – Santini
Krygier – Wylie
Portillo (starter)
Dell
Other roster options include: (F) Francis and (D) Nousiainen
Injured: Inamoto (getting close), Lee (out until March)
Puck drop is scheduled for 6pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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