After a lackluster showing in Game 1, Andrew Lord’s Ontario Reign squad will look to respond tonight and even their series with the Firebirds.
While not technically a must-win for the home team, tonight feels like one. Falling behind 0-2 before heading to Coachella Valley for Games 3 and 4 next week would put the Reign in a pretty uncomfortable spot.
Call it rust or label it something else. Either way, Game 1 was perhaps Ontario’s worst performance of the season. That’s not hyperbole. For the first time all year, the Bronx cheer was partially in effect. Missed passes, a flood of second-period penalties, and total third-period domination from Coachella Valley had some of the home crowd voicing its frustration.
Fortunately for the Reign, there could be a bright spot in the offering. From what we’re hearing, there is optimism that Kings prospect Aatu Jamsen could be ready for a return to the lineup after missing Wednesday’s contest with an injury. Before an early March injury sidelined him for several weeks, he had emerged as one of Ontario’s most productive scorers, recording 17 points (11G, 6A) in 23 games, including six goals in a 10-game stretch. That surge came after he managed just eight points (4G, 4A) over his first 27 games of the season.
Should Jamsen draw back in for Game 2, expect some notable lineup adjustments, potentially even a reunion of the Lee–Connors–Wright line.
One bright spot from the series opener was goaltender Erik Portillo, who stopped 30 of 33 shots and is expected back between the pipes again tonight.
Reign Projected Lineup vs. Firebirds
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Alexandrov – Gawdin – Guttman
Lee – Connors – Chromiak
Jamsen – Pinelli – Wright
Ziemmer – Hughes – Doty
Kirsanov – Booth
Hicketts – Brzustewicz
Dvorak – Millar
Portillo (starter)
Copley
Likely scratches: (F) Brown, Isogai, Jenik, G. Slukynsky and (D) Novikov, Salin and (G) H. Slukynsky
Injured: Burroughs
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time and will be streamed via FloSports. Additionally, a Reign radio feed is available here.
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