Much like their parent club on Monday, the Reign are set for a colossal showdown tonight inside Toyota Arena. Having already played in their fair share of important games this season, few carry the weight of this one for coach Andrew Lord’s group.
Entering tonight, Ontario and Colorado are separated by just one point atop the AHL’s Pacific Division. With only a handful of games remaining, this contest could go a long way in deciding who ultimately earns the top seed and a bye in round one of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Following Saturday’s victory, Lord acknowledged that tonight is a “huge game.” His team appears to be back on track following a lackluster March, erupting for 13 goals across two wins last week.
Ontario has had the upper hand in their season series with Colorado too, holding a 5-1-1 record overall, including a 2-0-1 mark on home ice. Still, most of those battles have been close, with four of the seven previous games decided by a single goal.
Colorado won the last meeting in a shootout, but not before Kings prospects Franky Pinelli and Martin Chromiak each found the back of the net during the first period. The former has been outstanding down the stretch, bringing his totals to 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games. Given his struggles last season, this is the kind of year the organization would happily sign up for.
Meanwhile, Chromiak has been strong all year, currently sitting at 50 points (25G, 25A). He’s also remained hot of late, posting six points (4G, 2A) in his last six games and 13 (9G, 4A) in his last 16.
Additionally, Kenny Connors carries a three-game point streak (2G, 2A) into tonight and has totaled seven points (4G, 3A) over his last eight games. He’ll look to cap off what has been an excellent rookie season.
However, all eyes tonight will be focused on 19-year-old Henry Brzustewicz. After signing his entry-level contract with the Kings just a few days ago, he’s set to make his AHL debut tonight under the brightest lights of the season. Paired with captain Joe Hicketts, Brzustewicz will be thrust into a high-stakes battle with major implications for Ontario.
Fresh off an impressive campaign with the London Knights, Brzustewicz brings 54 points (19G, 35A) in 59 games into his first pro contest. The Kings’ top selection from last June’s NHL Draft tied for the third-most goals among all OHL defenseman and finished with the seventh-most points.
Pheonix Copley is expected to get the start in net, and it could be his last start of the regular season. With wins in seven of his last eight starts, the veteran goaltender is coming off a shutout performance at Coachella Valley, turning aside all 23 shots faced. As we recently reported, LA’s No. 1 goaltending prospect, Hampton Slukynsky, is slated to start Friday’s home game vs. the Firebirds. With Erik Portillo most likely starting Saturday, that would leave only two games remaining on Ontario’s regular season schedule — a back-to-back set on April 17 and 18. Assuming Slukynsky gets one of those games, as well. That would leave a single game for either Copley or Portillo before the playoffs begin.
Reign Projected Lineup vs. Eagles
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Lee – Gawdin – Guttman
Alexandrov – Connors – Chromiak
Brown – Pinelli – Jamsen
Ziemmer – Hughes – Doty
Kirsanov – Booth
Hicketts – Brzustewicz
Novikov – Millar
Copley (starter)
Portillo
Likely scratches: (F) Isogai, Jenik and (D) Dvorak, Salin
Injured: Burroughs
Recalled to NHL: Wright
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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