REIGN PREVIEW – Ontario vs, San Jose, 1/31

WHO: Ontario Reign (22-7-3-2) vs. San Jose Barracuda (14-21-1-0)
WHAT: AHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME #35
WHEN: Monday, January 31 @ 7:00 PM Pacific
WHERE: Toyota Arena – Ontario, CA
HOW TO FOLLOW: VIDEO: AHLTV – AUDIO: Mixlr – TWITTER: @ShafReign & @ontarioreign

 

TODAY’S MATCHUP: The Ontario Reign host the San Jose Barracuda at Toyota Arena for the fourth meeting of the season between the two clubs. The Reign have secured wins in each of the first three matchups during 2021-22 taking the first contest 7-4 in Ontario on Dec. 17 before a recent sweep in San Jose on back-to-back days by scores of 4-1 and 7-1 on Wednesday and Thursday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Reign are looking to close out January on a high note, after going 8-1-1-1 in their previous 11 games during the month. Ontario is the highest-scoring team in the AHL, averaging 3.97 goals per game, and also rank at the top of the league’s power play standings at 27.5%. A win would put the Reign just a single point behind the Stockton Heat for first place in the Pacific Division.

LAST TIME OUT: The Ontario Reign were unable to recover after allowing two first period goals and fell to the Stockton Heat by a 2-1 score Saturday night at Stockton Arena. The loss ended a run of 10 games in which the Reign were unbeaten in regulation and sent the club back into second place in the Pacific Division standings with a points percentage of 0.721. Forward Alex Turcotte had the lone tally for Ontario, while goaltender Matt Villalta came up big to keep his team in the game with 35 saves. With an assist on Turcotte’s third period strike, defender Jordan Spence extended his point streak to 11 games, which is now the third-longest run in the AHL this season.

TERRORIZING TYNAN: Forward TJ Tynan is leading the way offensively for the Reign this season with 44 points in just 28 games on eight goals and 36 assists. The Orland Park, Ill. native leads the AHL in assists, while his point total is second-most in the league. Tynan, the reigning AHL Most Valuable Player, also has 21 points on the power play, which is the most in the league. Most recently, Tynan was held off the scoresheet in Ontario’s loss to Stockton on Saturday night, ending a run of points in nine straight road games for the center which was the longest streak in the AHL this season. The eighth-year pro is currently on pace to set a new career-high in scoring, which he set during 2018-19 with 71 points in 71 games.

STREAKING SPENCE: Rookie defender Jordan Spence has been at his best over the last month, recording points in his last 11 games dating back to Jan. 2. Spence extended that streak on Saturday night in Stockton, assisting on Alex Turcotte’s third period goal. During the 11-game run, the blueliner has racked up two goals and 12 helpers while posting power play points in nine contests. Spence leads all AHL rookie defenders with 24 points in 31 games on two goals and 22 assists. 13 of his helpers have come while the Reign have been on the man-advantage, which is second-most on the team and fifth in the league.

SCOUTING THE BARRACUDA: San Jose is just past the midpoint of its 2021-22 season, with 32 games remaining. The group has managed 14 victories and 29 points, which is the lowest points percentage in the AHL. While the team has struggled defensively, the Barracuda average just under three goals per game on offense. Overall, forward Scott Reedy leads the club with 27 points in 31 games this season on a team-leading 18 goals and nine assists. Reedy’s 10 power play goals are also the most in the AHL. Attackers Joachim Blichfeld and Jayden Halbgewachs have also had good offensive seasons, totaling 25 and 23 points respectively. Alexei Melnichuk has seen the most time in net for the Barracuda, appearing in 22 games while posting a 7-9-1 record.

V STANDS FOR VICTORY: Reign goaltender Matt Villalta has been a big part of the team’s success this season, posting 13 wins in 19 appearances, which ranks fifth in the league. Statistically speaking, Villalta is having his best pro season in his third campaign. His 2.58 goals-against average is a career-low, while his 0.913 save percentage is the highest mark he’s had with Ontario. The 22-year-old is three appearances away from his career-high when he played in 22 games as a rookie during the 2019-20 season.

TURCOTTE TIME: Forward Alex Turcotte put Ontario within striking distance of Stockton in the third period of Saturday night’s recent contest, scoring his first goal since Nov. 7. It was the second straight evening with a point for the second-year attacker, who also picked up an assist on a goal by Samuel Fagemo Thursday in San Jose. Through 21 AHL games this season, Turcotte has 12 points on four goals and eight assists. He also has a +12 rating, which is second on the club this season behind only Fagemo. The former No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft made his NHL debut last month on Dec. 28 and remained with the Kings for a month, suiting up in eight contests.