PREVIEW – Ontario @ Stockton, 1/12

WHO: Ontario Reign (11-17-3-2) @ San Jose Barracuda (15-17-3-0)
WHAT: AHL REGULAR SEASON GAME
WHEN: Saturday, January 12, @ 6:00 PM
WHERE: Stockton Arena – Stockton, CA
HOW TO FOLLOW: VIDEO: AHLTV – AUDIO – iHeart Radio (Away Feed) – TWITTER: @ontarioreign & @reigninsider

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Ontario Reign conclude a three-in-four set this evening against the Stockton Heat. Ontario enters tonight’s action off of a split against the San Jose Barracuda at SAP Center, including a 3-1 victory yesterday evening.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Ontario’s victory yesterday snapped a six-game losing skid and a seven-game road losing streak, in addition to a run of 11 losses from a 12-game span and a 14-game winless in regulation streak, their longest such streak of the season. The Reign now return to Stockton Arena, where they have posted a 1-2-0 record this season, with losses in their last two visits. Overall this season versus the Heat, Ontario is 2-2-1 with five meetings still to come, including tonight’s action. With the travel last night, do not expect a full morning skate today for the Reign in Stockton.

FOR PETERSEN’S SAKE: Ontario goaltender Cal Petersen turned in another stout performance between the pipes, turning aside 37 of the 38 shots he faced in the victory. Petersen earned his first win since he was assigned to the Reign in late-December. Over that span, the Notre Dame product has posted a 1-3-0 record, but has compiled a .937 save percentage to go along with a 2.04 goals against average.

2 GOALS FROM MOULS: Reign forward Matt Moulson led his team yesterday evening with a pair of goals in the 3-1 victory. Moulson opened the scoring in the first period with a power-play goal, followed by an empty-net goal in the third period. The two goals marked Moulson’s second multi-goal game and his sixth multi-point game of the season. The veteran winger leads all Ontario players with 11 goals and 26 points on the season.

A LITTLE CAPTAIN IN HIM: Ontario forward Brett Sutter found the back of the net for the second straight game with the game-winning goal inside the final two minutes of the game. Sutter’s tally was his ninth goal of the season, moving him into sole possession of second place on the Reign, with his 24 total points tied for second. Sutter is also tied for second in the AHL with four shorthanded points this season, enhanced by his shorthanded goal on Wednesday in San Jose.

HOT AGAINST THE HEAT: In the season series to date, Ontario forward Sheldon Rempal leads all skaters with seven points (3-4-7), despite missing one of the five matchups while in the NHL. Rempal has collected multiple points in three of his four games played against the Heat, including a three-point night on October 12. Overall this season, Rempal has collected eight goals and 24 points from his first professional season.

ROY OF SUNSHINE: Reign defenseman Matt Roy collected another assist in last night’s victory. Roy’s helper came on the man advantage, his ninth power-play point of the season, which leads all Ontario blueliners. Roy’s nine power-play assists rank seventh in the AHL this season amongst blueliners and his 12 power-play points are tied for second on the Reign as a whole. Overall, Roy has amassed 21 points (6-15-21) to lead all Ontario defensemen this season.

INJURY UPDATE: Defenseman Daniel Brickley is considered to be “week-to-week” per Los Angeles Kings General Manager Rob Blake, as reported by The Athletic’s Lisa Dillman. Brickley was injured in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss against San Jose, leaving the game early in the third period with a lower-body injury. Brickley was replaced in the lineup yesterday evening by defenseman Chaz Reddekopp, who took part in his first pro fight in the victory.