Dominos. Perhaps that’s the answer to what feels like a much better week for the Ontario Reign thus far. In addition to a handful of players they lost over the summer, via guys graduating to the NHL, they’re now down another forward, another defenseman, and their No. 1 goalie due to recent recalls up the Kings.
No problem, though.
LA prospect Kaleb Larwence — who hadn’t been able to get a single game in with Ontario earlier this season, resulting in a stint with ECHL Greenville just to get some playing time — made his AHL debut on Wednesday. The Reign won. He’s with the club in Colorado this weekend and scored his first AHL goal in a 5-3 victory on Friday night.
Nothing came easy in that second straight win, though. Ontario trailed 1-0 and then 2-1 before Lawrence tied things up at 18:54 of the middle frame. Coach Marco Sturm saw Tyler Madden get a go-ahead goal early in the third period, but even that looked like it may not be enough. When there was still seven minutes remaining in regulation, the Eagles only trailed by a single goal. Sammy Fagemo eventually potted an empty netter to finish things off and start the two-game series on positive footing.
This afternoon, the Reign will go for a weekend sweep with at least one change to the lineup. After facing 38 shots on Friday — and helping shut down five Colorado power plays — goaltender Pheonix Copley is expected to give way to the returning Jacob Ingham.
The 6-foot-5 netminder was recalled a few days ago and will be making his second start with the Reign this year. On the season, he holds a 2-1-0 record with a .943 save percentage in Greenville. Since being drafted by the Kings in 2018, he has proven to be outstanding in the crease when healthy. At one point, he was ranked as the Kings No. 1 goaltending prospect, only to see his career be derailed — or perhaps just paused — by back surgery. He more than showed he’s capable of a bigger role last year and re-signed with the Kings this offseason to earn such a spot.
Circling back to Lawrence, he’s an interesting prospect to keep track of this season. Another of LA’s infamous seventh round picks, he’s a big guy who is still figuring out how to put the total package together. Last year was a breakout season for him in the OHL, where he went all the way to the Memorial Cup with London — but also had a few suspensions along the way because of his heavy, power-forward like game. He can play wing or center, and isn’t afraid to bully people. If all goes according to plan, he should continue to round into form as the months wear along, dramatically improving his stock by the time the playoffs eventually roll around.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. EAGLES
Should Sturm opt to make any key changes during pregame warm-ups, this article will be updated.
Hudon – Gawdin – Malott
Chromiak – Studnicka – Fagemo
Jamsen – Pinelli – Madden
Element – Lawrence – Doty
Hicketts – Millar
Booth – Rowe
Dvorak – Walsh
Ingham (starter)
Copley
Other roster options include: (F) N/A (D) Krygier
Injured: (F) Ward (D) Parker-Jones
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on FloHockey. An audio only feed is also available on the ESPN LA app.
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