After beginning their 2024-25 season with three games at home, the Ontario Reign head to Coachella Valley on Friday to play their first road contest this year. Waiting for them will be a Firebirds team who ousted them in the Calder Cup Playoffs last May, essentially derailing what looked like a runaway steam train at that time, as coach Marco Sturm had guided his team to a perfect 5-0 record prior to that Round 3 matchup.
As much as ‘revenge’ would be an easy narrative heading into tonight, the reality is much different. Sturm has seen a rather sizeable turnover in his roster and is still sorting through all of his new lineup options. With a handful of players graduated to the NHL and another handful of players departed from the organization, only Sammy Helenius remains as a carryover among Ontario’s top three centers. Defensively, first-year pro Angus Booth has been playing key minutes while anchoring the club’s first pair.
Meanwhile, things remain in flux among the goaltenders. All indications are, No. 1 starter Erik Portillo remains sidelined with an illness, leaving Pheonix Copley as the top netminder vs. Coachella Valley. Jacob Ingham, who was recalled from ECHL Greenville and thrust into action last weekend will most likely serve as the backup. Copley has been up with the Kings of late, but did start in Ontario’s lone win, coming two weeks ago vs. the San Jose Barracuda at Toyota Arena.
After a week of practice in preparation for tonight’s game, it may be time for LA prospect Kaleb Lawrence to draw in. Sturm was a bit coy when asked when the 6-foot-6 forward could make his AHL debut. Perhaps tonight is the night, we’ll have to wait and see what’s in store closer to game time.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. FIREBIRDS
Ontario did not hold a morning skate at TSPC today. Should Sturm opt to make a few changes during pregame warm-ups, this article will be updated.
Hudon – Gawdin – Fagemo
Malott – Helenius – Ward
Chromiak – Studnicka – Madden
Element – Pinelli – Jamsen
Booth – Hicketts
Moverare – Walsh
Krygier – Rowe
Copley (starter)
Ingham
Other roster options include: (F) Doty, Lawrence, Wise (D) Dvorak, Millar, Parker-Jones
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on FloHockey.
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