Saturday’s season opener was a game Reign coach Marco Sturm will likely just want to flush quickly and move on from. He may even ask all involved to delete all video from that contest.
Being shutout on home ice isn’t the way any organization wants to start a new campaign. However, it’s all part of the growing pains that come with adding over a dozen new faces to the team. So, onward and upward is perhaps the rallying cry, as Sturm and Co. need to circle the wagons for a Sunday afternoon rematch with San Jose that comes less than 24 hours after the disappointment of last night.
While unconfirmed, we’re expecting Pheonix Copley to get the call in goal for game No. 2. He hasn’t played a competitive game since Dec. 10, 2023 while tending net for the Kings in New York. And it’s been almost two full years since Copley has started an AHL game.
As for the rest of the lineup, we’re also expecting first-year pros Aatu Jamsen and Jakub Dvorak to draw in, as well. Both players took pregame warmups last night to give them a small taste of getting ready for their eventual debuts.
Jamsen was a seventh-round pick of the LA Kings a few years back and has been plying his trade in Finland since then. He’s a dynamic offensive player — highly creative at times — and is capable of exploiting his speed when used on the penalty kill too.
Dvorak, just 19 years old, is pushing to stay in North America this season and will be under a bit of a microscope, as LA management continues to evaluate the ongoing development of their 6-foot-5 rearguard.
Sturm shared extended thoughts on both players here:
Kaleb Lawrence is another Kings prospect who may draw in to make his AHL debut.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. BARRACUDA
Projection is based on practice alignment over the past few days. Should Sturm opt to make a few changes during morning skate or pregame warm-ups, this article will be updated.
Malott – Gawdin – Fagemo
Hudon – Studnicka – Madden
Chromiak – Helenius – Ward
Jamsen – Pinelli – Doty
Booth – Hicketts
Moverare – Walsh
Dvorak – Millar
Portillo (starter)
Copley
Other roster options include: (F) Element, Lawrence, Singleton (D) Krygier, Parker-Jones, Rowe
Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on FloHockey.
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