Things aren’t going well for coach Marco Sturm and the Ontario Reign thus far. They have just one win over their first five games played and they already have a minus-14 goal differential. No player on the team has more than three points, Sammy Fagemo has generated nothing offensively — as in zero points, period — and they’ve already used a trio of goaltenders.
It’s been rough, to put it mildly.
Now, here’s some good news. It appears Erik Portillo should be ready for game action. After missing about 10 days with an undisclosed illness, the second-year pro seems ready to go, simply based on the fact he’s had about a week of practice time with the team. That could be just the shot in the arm Sturm is looking for, as the Reign begin a home-and-home series with the Silver Knights. First up, will be Friday’s contest in Henderson, before the two clubs head south to Ontario for a rematch on Saturday at Toyota Arena.
And facing a Silver Knights club who has only managed two wins in seven games this season could be the perfect opponent for the Reign to claw their way back to even. However, it’s at least worth noting that these same two teams played in Ontario last weekend and it was Henderson skating away with a 5-1 victory.
Oddly enough, the only player among Sturm’s squad to score a goal in that one, rookie Aatu Jamsen, is likely going to be a healthy scratch tonight. Thus far, he’s been rotated in and out of the lineup most nights, while he continues to adjust to North America. Despite Sturm even hinted at this being the likely plan during training camp, one would think that plan might be tweaked when he’s been one of only a small handful of Reign players to actually score a goal in 2024-25.
Nonetheless, Ontario’s situation shouldn’t be about just one player, it’s about needing the collective group to get going. After shining like world beaters during most of the playoffs last year, a summer of roster turnover hasn’t quite gelled together. Perhaps tonight Sturm can get the ol’ Reign Train back on the right track. He’ll certainly be trying to rekindle some of the magic of last season, when his club earned points in seven of the eight matchups vs. Henderson, outscoring the Silver Knights 29-21 in those contests.
In an attempt to jumpstart Fagemo, the Swedish born sniper is scheduled to play with this third different center of the season. Additionally, Martin Chromiak will be reunited with Franky Pinelli. Big defender Cole Krygier is most likely drawing back in on defense after sitting out last weekend’s tilt with Henderson.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. SILVER KNIGHTS
Ontario did not hold a morning skate at TSPC today. This projection is based on practice alignment earlier in the week. Should Sturm opt to make a few changes during pregame warm-ups, this article will be updated.
Hudon – Gawdin – Malott
Madden – Studnicka – Fagemo
Ward – Pinelli – Chromiak
Element – Helenius – Doty
Moverare – Millar
Krygier – Walsh
Booth – Hicketts
Portillo (starter)
Copley
Other roster options include: (F) Jamsen, Lawrence (D) Dvorak, Parker-Jones, Rowe
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on FloHockey.
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