PREVIEW – Ontario @ San Diego, 12/21

WHO: Ontario Reign (9-10-3-2) @ San Diego Gulls (10-11-1-2)
WHAT: AHL REGULAR SEASON GAME
WHEN: Friday, December 21, @ 7:00 PM
WHERE: Pechanga Arena San Diego – San Diego, CA
HOW TO FOLLOW: VIDEO: AHLTV – AUDIO – 1090 AM (Away Feed) – TWITTER: @ontarioreign & @reigninsider

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Ontario Reign and San Diego Gulls hit the ice for a home-and-home this weekend, beginning with a Friday night matchup at Pechanga Arena San Diego. Ontario enters tonight’s action losers of four straight and this weekend’s games are its final before the holiday break.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Reign have fared well against the Gulls to date, posting a 2-0-1 record in three games played this season. Ontario was victorious in the lone meeting of the season in San Diego to date, skating to a 4-3 victory over the Gulls in late-November, coming from three goals down to earn the win. The two teams also enter today’s action tied with 23 points apiece in the Pacific Division, with both sides sitting five points out of the division’s final playoff berth. Ontario skated this morning at Toyota Sports Center, with goaltender Peter Budaj the first netminder off and forward Sam Kurker, along with defenseman Craig Wyszomirski and goaltender Jack Campbell on late for extra work.

MOULSON ICE: Reign forward Matt Moulson found the back of the net for the second straight game on Sunday, with a late second-period tally. Moulson has collected three points (2-1-3) over his last two games and now has 21 points (8-13-21) from 24 games played on the season, tying him for the team lead in scoring. The veteran has also scored at a point-per-game pace against the Gulls in his career, with 11 points (4-7-11) from 11 games played.

KALE ME MAYBE: Ontario defenseman Kale Clague scored his second goal of the 2018-19 season on Sunday, getting the Reign on the board in the second period. Clague has collected a point in four of his last five games played (1-3-4), with a +1 rating and 15 shots on goal over that span. The six-foot tall defenseman has now amassed 11 points (2-9-11) on the season, tied for third most amongst Ontario blueliners.

MAKING MOVES: The Reign saw three players come and go without playing in a game this week – Forwards Austin Wagner and Mike Amadio, along with defenseman Sean Walker, were assigned to Ontario on Wednesday, before all three were then recalled back by the Kings earlier today. All three skaters have spent time in both the NHL and AHL this season and the trio has skated in each of the last four games the Kings have played.

VANILLA EYSS: Reign forward Mikey Eyssimont has now collected points in back-to-back games, and three of four games overall, after he tallied an assist on Sunday against San Jose, following his goal the night prior. Eyssimont’s goal on Saturday ended a 15-game scoreless drought with his first marker since October 19. The 5-11 winger has now amassed 11 points (5-6-11) from 23 games played this season, his first full campaign as a professional.

JACK IS BACK: Although not expected to play tonight, Ontario received reinforcements this week as goaltender Jack Campbell was assigned to the Reign on a conditioning stint by the LA Kings. Campbell has played in more games (78) than any other goaltender in Reign history, skating with the team during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. All-time with Ontario, Campbell has posted a 42-25-10 record, with a .913 SV%, a 2.62 GAA, as well as 5 shutouts.