REIGN PREVIEW – Ontario at Colorado, 4/20

WHO: Ontario Reign (40-15-5-4) at Colorado Eagles (37-21-4-3)
WHAT: AHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME #65
WHEN: Wednesday, April 20 @ 6:05 PM Pacific
WHERE: Budweiser Events Center – Loveland, CO
HOW TO FOLLOW: VIDEO: AHLTV – TWITTER: @ShafReign & @ontarioreign

 

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Ontario Reign open a three-game series in Colorado against the Eagles Wednesday night at the Budweiser Events Center. The visit marks the lone trip for Ontario to Colorado during the 2021-22 regular season. The Eagles made the trip to Ontario earlier in the month, pulling off a sweep of the Reign. In the season series, Ontario is 1-1-1 against Colorado, picking up their lone win at home on Nov. 7. The Reign are in second place in the Pacific Division standings with a points percentage of 0.695, and while Colorado is in third with a 0.623 mark, the Eagles are unable to catch up to Ontario.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This week’s series represents the final three regular season contests on Colorado’s schedule. The Eagles are aiming to stay in third in the division, while Ontario can still catch Stockton for first place, beginning the week three points behind the Heat with four games to play. The Reign continue to lead the AHL offensively by scoring an average of 3.89 goals per game, while Colorado is third in the league rankings with 3.54 goals per outing. The Eagles average the most shots on net per game in the league (34.2). Ontario’s power play is at the top of the AHL league rankings by converting on 26.8% of their opportunities.

LAST TIME OUT: Goals from five different skaters propelled the Ontario Reign to their third straight win in four days over the San Diego Gulls Saturday night by a final score of 5-2 at Pechanga Arena. With the victory, Ontario completed its season series with nine wins in 12 matchups against San Diego. Defender Nelson Nogier had a big night with a goal and an assist and was later named the game’s first star, while forward Martin Frk scored once again in the victory, adding to his team-leading goal total which now stands at 39.

FRK’S FLURRY OF GOALS: Forward Martin Frk has continued to put the puck in the net for the Reign this season and scored his 39th goal of the season Saturday in Ontario’s ninth win over the Gulls. Frk has now scored goals in four consecutive games, including five in the past three which were all wins over San Diego. The Pelhrimov, Czech Republic native recently appeared in the 500th pro game of his career on Friday night in Ontario. Frk made it a special night, scoring on a breakaway in the second period. The goal also put the attacker over the 70-point mark for the first time in his AHL career. Frk ranks fifth in the league in overall scoring with 71 points and second in AHL goal scoring.

TYNAN TRACKER: Forward TJ Tynan earned an assist for the 11th consecutive game Saturday during Ontario’s 5-2 win in San Diego, extending his season-high streak. He leads all AHL skaters this season with 92 total points and also has 79 assists which is 13 more than the next-highest total by Chicago’s Andrew Poturalski. Both Tynan’s point and assist totals are career-highs for the eighth-year pro. Tynan’s assist total is the most in the AHL since forward Darren Haydar led the league with 81 while playing for the Wolves during the 2006-07 campaign. The current assist streak dates back to Mar. 22 and is the longest run in the league this season. The Orland Park, Ill., native’s points per game average of 1.59 also leads the league, as does his power play assist total (41) and power play point total (43).

SCOUTING THE EAGLES: Holding third place in the Pacific Division, Colorado also has the lowest number of games remaining on their schedule, with just three contests remaining in their regular season. The Eagles are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and have amassed a goal differential of +33 this season. Forward Kiefer Sherwood leads the team with 71 points in 54 games on a team-high 34 goals and 37 assists. Just behind him is Dylan Sikura, who has racked up 68 points with 29 goals and 39 helpers. Defender Jordan Gross leads all AHL blueliners and ranks eighth overall in the league with 64 points (10 goals, 54 assists). Gross’ assist total is also third in the AHL. Justus Annunen has been the team’s backbone in the crease, appearing in 47 games with a 24-12-6 record, two shutouts and a goals-against average of 2.96. Annunen has played the third-most minutes of any goaltender in the league and is on track to surpass the 2,700-minute mark for the season this week.

NOGIER MAKING NOISE: Defenseman Nelson Nogier has produced points in three straight games for Ontario, but the Saskatoon, Sask. native had his biggest night as a member of the Reign on Saturday in San Diego when he posted a goal and an assist along with a +3 rating. Nogier scored his first Ontario goal in his ninth outing with the club on a slapshot during a delayed penalty to San Diego late in the second period. He then broke up a play in the team’s defensive zone to secure the second assist on a goal by Martin Frk that gave the Reign insurance on their lead in the third. Nogier has now appeared in 251 AHL games during his pro career, which has spanned six seasons.

HELENIUS MAKES HIS MARK: Forward Samuel Helenius scored the first goal of his AHL career Saturday night in his eighth career game with Ontario during a win over San Diego. The tally was also the Järvenpää, Finland native’s first point, coming on a tap-in at the side of the net on a passing play with linemates Jacob Doty and Andre Lee. The second round selection by the LA Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft has also produced seven shots on goal since joining the Reign.