Coming into the 2025-26 AHL season, much of the talk surrounding the Reign centered on two things: a plethora of LA Kings prospects accounting for the majority of Ontario’s roster, and new coach Andrew Lord. Everything was going so well on Friday’s opening night until late in the game when Tucson tied it on the power play with just 22 seconds remaining and then ultimately won in overtime.
It wasn’t a debut the team’s new bench boss would have preferred. However, he’ll take the point and move on to today’s rematch vs. the Roadrunners — where he’s expected to largely trot out the same lineup.
“Great to have the lead there late; really unfortunate [loss],” said Lord. “It stings, but we’ll be better for it.”
Kings prospects Andre Lee, Franky Pinelli, and Aatu Jamsen all chipped in with goals over the first 40 minutes in Friday’s season opener. Akil Thomas appeared to have the game winner late in third frame, before the aforementioned penalty.
However, it wasn’t just the more experienced prospects who played well. One of LA’s first-year pros also earned a little praise from Lord following the game that night.
“I thought Connors was really good late,” Lord noted. “He got some pucks out, kept it simple for us. We gave them a little bit more ice [time] in the third as a result.”
When the Reign and Roadrunners meet up again on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Arena, Lord is expected to go with the same 12 forwards and six defensemen as he did in Game 1. Obviously, a few guys could potentially be moved around; we’ll have to see during warmups. Forwards Kohen Ziemmer and Jack Hughes are expected to be healthy scratches once again. The former played three games with Ontario and the end of last season (after turning pro), while the latter’s AHL debut will have to wait at least until next weekend.
Perhaps the only really decision facing Lord heading into today’s contest is whether to let Erik Portillo make his second consecutive start. Friday was the 25-year-old netminders first start since February. He stopped 22-of-27 shots faced.
Statistically Speaking
— In addition to Portillo’s standard goalie stats from Friday’s game, he also earned an assist on Jamsen’s goal. It was the big Swede’s first point as a pro. During his three years at Michigan, Portillo recorded six assists during his collegiate career.
— Thomas led all players in the first game with four shots on goal.
— Ontario went 6-2 against Tucson last season. The Pacific Division rivals will once again meet eight times this season. Yet, after today, they won’t see each other again until February.
What You May Have Missed
LA Kings Prospect Tracker: Week Ending October 6, 2025 LINK
Kings Prospect Angus Booth Intent on Avoiding Sophomore Slump LINK
Kings Of The Podcast, Ep. 235 with Andrew Lord, New Reign Head Coach LINK
Reign Projected Lineup vs. Roadrunners
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Pinelli – Gawdin – Chromiak
Jamsen – Guttman – Ward
Lee – Thomas – Wright
Lawrence – Connors – Doty
Hicketts – Millar
Bolduc – Salin
Kirsanov – Dvorak
Portillo
Saville
Likely scratches: (F) Hughes, Ziemmer and (D) Rego
Injured: Berge, Brown, Parker-Jones
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 3:00 pm Pacific Time and will be streamed for free via FloSports. Additionally, a Reign radio feed is available here.
Follow @mayorNHL
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