For the first time since 2018, the Reign are in Texas for a Central Division matchup with the Stars. It will be first of back-to-back games for coach Marco Sturm’s squad at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park. Earlier this season, the two clubs slit a pair of games at Toyota Arena.
During that first contest, goaltender Pheonix Copley earned a 4-0 shutout. He’s expected to be back between the pipes tonight, as well. What happens tomorrow is a bit of a mystery at this time, considering the Reign have recalled netminder Jacob Ingham from ECHL Greenville. While Copley has played on consecutive nights this season, there’s no reason to not turn to Ingham, who has proven to be a solid option whenever given a chance during various stints with the Reign.
Offensively, first-year pro Kaleb Lawrence had a goal and assist in the aforementioned shutout back in November. We would expect Sturm to insert the Kings prospect back into Ontario’s lineup for tonight, although that hasn’t been confirmed as of yet. The OHL graduate has been sidelined the past few games after starting three games this month after his recall from the ECHL.
Martin Chromiak recorded a goal and assist of his own during the second Reign-Stars contest mentioned above, and he’s looking to find his offensive touch once again. Another Kings prospect who continues to develop under Sturm, Chromiak scored in Ontario’s most recent game over the weekend. It was the first time he recorded a point since Feb. 22. Just prior to that six-game drought, he had goals in three straight contests, along with points in four out of six.
Overall, Ontario sits second in the Pacific Division and are within striking distance of first-place Colorado, just four points ahead of them. Despite a sluggish start to March, where the Reign posted a 0-3-1 record, they’ve secured victories in their last three games — scoring 11 goals during their mini resurgence.
In Sunday’s game against the Silver Knights, the Reign barley came out with the two points after allowing a pair of third period goals to send the game to overtime, tied 2-2. Bolstered by a 20-save performance from Copley, the team persevered in a shootout to claim victory.
They’ll need more from the power play moving forward, as the Reign currently rank 22nd in the AHL, operating at just a 17.4 percent success rate this season. Despite this rather pedestrian number, the team’s ability to generate offense at even strength has been a critical factor in their recent success.
Neither goaltender Erik Portillo nor defenseman Angus Booth made the trip to Texas with their teammates. The latter has not had a timetable established for his return quite yet, while Ontario’s No. 1 netminder is tentatively scheduled to return next week.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. STARS
Malott – Pinelli – Fagemo
Lee – Studnicka – Ward
Hudon – Gawdin – Chromiak
Element – Lawrence – Jamsen
Hicketts- Cecconi
Jones – Millar
Dvorak – Walsh
Copley
Ingham
Other roster options include: (F) Doty, Olson and (D) Booth, Krygier, Rowe and (G) Portillo
Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 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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