November 25: Reign vs Heat pre-game notes

Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings AHL affiliate) vs Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames AHL affiliate)

Records: ONT – 10-2-2-0; STK – 5-5-0-2 (W-L-OTL-SOL)
Wednesday, November 25, 2015, 7:00 p.m. PT
Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, CA

Reign pre-game notes
–The Reign are coming off back-to-back wins in Texas (against San Antonio and Texas) but they did give up nine goals in the two games combined. “It was a little uncharacteristic of us,” captain Vincent LoVerde said this morning. “I think it’s one of those things, it’s going to happen from time to time and you just have to reel it back in, be a little more disciplined on the ice in terms of positioning and puck movement. We’ve addressed it. We’ve done some video this week and hopefully we can nip this thing in the bud.”
–Peter Budaj (9-1-1) gets the start in net tonight. This is the Reign’s second of 12 meetings this season with the Heat, the first being a 4-0 victory in which Budaj had 38 saves. Also in that same meeting, winger Jordan Samuels-Thomas recorded a hat trick.
–Derek Arnold was called up Tuesday to take the roster spot of Andrew Crescenzi, who had to leave the team to attend a funeral. As far as other roster other roster adjustments, forward Paul Bissonnette (back) is a game-time decision.

Scouting the opposition
–The Heat made their way to Ontario yesterday and were on the ice at Citizens Business Bank Arena for a morning skate of their own today following the Reign’s. They’re on a season-high three-game winning streak (victories over Texas, San Diego and San Jose). Their last regulation loss came against the Reign on Nov. 7.
–The Flames announced earlier today that defenseman Ladislav Smid was sent to Stockton on a conditioning assignment and will play tonight. Smid has played in just four games this season for Calgary and was limited to 31 last season due to injury. Smid, who has played most of his NHL career with the Oilers, was drafted in the first round in 2004 by the Ducks.
–The injury bug is a serious issue for the Heat in net. Jon Gillies (lower-body injury) remains day-to-day after starting the team’s first six games of the season. With Gillies out, Kent Simpson and Kevin Poulin were splitting time, but now Poulin is also hurt. Stockton made a series of roster moves earlier today as they signed goalie Pat Nagle to a pro tryout contract and released goalie Eric Hartzell from his. Forward Ryan Lomberg was sent to the team’s ECHL affiliate in Adirondack.

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