REIGN PREVIEW 12/28 – Ontario at Coachella Valley

WHO: Ontario Reign (16-8-0-1) at Coachella Valley Firebirds (14-11-1-3)
WHAT: AHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME #26
WHEN: Saturday, December 28 @ 6:00 PM Pacific
WHERE: Acrisure Arena – Palm Desert, CA
HOW TO FOLLOW: VIDEO: FloHockey – AUDIO: ESPN LA App / Reign Radio – TWITTER: @ShafReign & @OntarioReign

TODAY’S MATCHUP: The Ontario Reign complete a back-to-back set on the road in Palm Desert on Saturday night against the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena. The sixth meeting of the two clubs this year will be the final regular season contest for the Reign at Coachella Valley during 2024-25.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Although the Reign’s season-long six game winning streak was stopped in San Diego on Friday, the team still earned a point from the contest and remained in third place in the Pacific Division after 25 games played. Ontario has now earned points from 13 of their last 15 outings dating back to mid-November. Coachella Valley picked up a 4-3 win on the road in Bakersfield on Friday and enters Saturday’s matchup sitting in fourth in the division, just a single point behind the Reign in the standings. The Reign holds the third-highest scoring offense in the AHL, averaging 3.56 goals per game, while posting the fifth-most shots on goal per contest (31.36). The Firebirds are just ahead of Ontario in that category, ranking fourth in the AHL with 31.48 shots on goal per game. Coachella Valley has earned points in all seven home games in which they’ve been outshot this season with a record of 4-0-0-3.

LAST TIME OUT: Despite 31 saves from Erik Portillo to keep them in the game, the Ontario Reign suffered their first shootout loss of the season to the San Diego Gulls by a 4-3 score on Friday night at Pechanga Arena. Ontario never trailed in the contest, but couldn’t hold any of their three one-goal leads and came up empty in four rounds during the skill session. Francesco Pinelli scored twice for the Reign during the first period, while Arthur Kaliyev added a power play goal in the middle frame in a losing effort.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: The Firebirds had emerged victorious from the first three matchups between the I-10 rivals to begin the 2024-25 season, but Ontario responded last week with back-to-back wins on consecutive days by scores of 4-1 and 4-2. Forward Ryan Winterton has led the way for Coachella Valley in the series with five points on two goals and three assists. Forward Jani Nyman, who scored the Firebirds’ lone goal last Friday, leads Coachella Valley with three tallies against Ontario. In addition, Lleyton Roed (2-2=4), Jagger Firkus (1-3=4), Eduard Sale (1-3=4) and Ben Meyers (0-4=4) have each totaled four points vs. the Reign. Samuel Fagemo (3-1=4), Jacob Doty (2-2=4) and Charles Hudon (1-3=4) lead the Reign against the Firebirds this season, each posting a team-high four points. Fagemo’s three goals are the most among Ontario skaters, while Hudon’s three helpers lead the club. A year ago, Ontario won four of the eight matchups against Coachella Valley during 2023-24 with a record of 4-3-0-1. Fagemo had a team-high five goals against Coachella Valley last season along with an assist for six points while playing in six of the contests.

PINELLI STRIKES TWICE: Forward Francesco Pinelli scored twice during the first period of Ontario’s 4-3 shootout loss in San Diego on Friday night for his first-career multi-goal effort. The Stoney Creek, Ontario native found the back of the net on the opening shift of the game 21 seconds into the contest with a quick wrist shot from the left circle that beat goaltender Oscar Dansk up high. Pinelli then converted a feed from defender Angus Booth later in the frame for his sixth strike of his sophomore season. The former second-round selection by the LA Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft has 12 points to his name on an even six goals and six assists while appearing in each of the team’s 25 games this year. Through 92 career AHL contests over the past two campaigns, Pinelli has 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points.

SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: Coachella Valley advanced to the Calder Cup Finals in each of its first two seasons in the AHL but came up short of the league’s title both times, falling to the eventual champion Hershey Bears. The Firebirds have finished both of their first two regular seasons with 103 total points in the Pacific Division standings, earning a first-place finish and a bye in the opening round of the postseason last year. Forward Ben Meyers has made a big impact on the scoresheet in his first season with the Firebirds and currently leads the team in scoring with 20 points in 23 games on 10 goals and 10 assists. Jani Nyman is second with an even nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 28 games to begin his rookie season. Veteran John Hayden is just behind him with 17 points on six tallies and 11 helpers. Defender Max Lajoie is first in scoring among the team’s blueliners with 15 points on two goals and 13 assists. While Ales Stezka has garnered the majority of playing time in goal, appearing in 18 games with a .906 save percentage, rookie Nikke Kokko has the better record, going 8-2-1 in 12 contests.

ELEMENT-ARY, MY DEAR WATSON: Forward Shawn Element now has a point streak of five games, with goals in three of the contests including a third period insurance strike against Coachella Valley on Saturday night. Element also assisted on two of Francesco Pinelli’s recent goals within the last week and scored in back-to-back home contests against San Jose and Calgary. Overall, Element has produced 12 points on seven goals and five helpers through 24 appearances this year with Ontario. The Victoriaville, Quebec native is now more than halfway to his career-high of 18 points, which he reached in each of the last two seasons while with the Syracuse Crunch.

ROAD KILLERS: Ontario went seven-for-eight on the penalty kill during Friday night’s outing in San Diego, the second-most power play opportunities they’ve allowed in a game this season. With the seven kills, their success rate on the road remains the best percentage in the AHL through 11 away games at 93.3%. The Reign have allowed a league-low three power play goals on the road from 45 shorthanded situations. Overall, the team ranks sixth in the league on the penalty kill at 85.4%, with 82 of 96 man-advantage chances discarded.

Reign Check Gameday Forecast

2024-25 Head-to-Head Schedule vs. Coachella Valley:
Fri., Oct. 25 at Coachella Valley, 2-5 L – Full Recap
Fri., Nov. 8 vs. Coachella Valley, 3-4 L – Full Recap
Sun., Nov 10 at Coachella Valley, 2-4 L – Full Recap
Fri., Dec. 20 at Coachella Valley, 4-1 W – Full Recap
Sat., Dec. 21 vs. Coachella Valley, 4-2 W – Full Recap
Sat., Dec. 28 at Coachella Valley, 6 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 4 vs. Coachella Valley, 6 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 25 vs. Coachella Valley, 6 p.m.