REIGN PREVIEW 10/19 – Ontario vs. Colorado

WHO: Ontario Reign (1-0-1-0) vs. Henderson Silver Knights (0-1-1-0)
WHAT: AHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME #3
WHEN: Friday, October 17 @ 7:00 Pacific
WHERE: Toyota Arena – Ontario, CA
HOW TO FOLLOW: VIDEO: FloHockey – AUDIO: Reign Radio – TWITTER: @ReignInsider & @OntarioReign

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Ontario Reign and Henderson Silver Knights square off in the first of eight total meetings this season, the first of four in Ontario at Toyota Arena. The Reign picked up three out of a possible four points this past weekend at Toyota Arena in a two-game series vs. Tucson falling 5-4 in overtime on Friday then bouncing back Sunday with a 4-2 victory. The Silver Knights notched just one point in two games last weekend on home ice falling to Abbotsford 2-1 in overtime on Friday and then a 4-2 defeat the following evening.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Akil Thomas of the Reign scored in both games last weekend while also collecting an assist on Friday night leading all Ontario skaters with four shots. The former second round draft pick, 51^stoverall, by the Kings in the 2018 NHL Draft is four points shy of 100 career AHL points having collected 96 points (48-48-96) in 159 games. The Toronto, ON native spent the entirety of last season in the NHL collecting three points (1-2-3) in 25 games for the Kings. Tanner Laczynski of the Silver Knights scored the lone goal last Friday after leading the club with 37 points (15-22-37) in 41 games a year ago while skating in eight NHL games with Vegas. In addition, he was named to the AHL All-Star Game. The former sixth round draft pick, 169^th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2016 NHL Draft, played parts of four seasons in the Philadelphia organization from 2020-24 skating in 38 NHL games with the Flyers and 93 AHL contests with Lehigh Valley.

BETWEEN TWO PIPES: Erik Portillo of the Reign started both games last weekend. He suffered the overtime loss on Friday making 22 saves on 27 shots while recording his first professional assist. It was his first game since Feb. 17, 2025, after being sidelined with an injury the rest of the season. The 25-year-old picked up the victory on Sunday turning aside 19 of 21 shots that came his way. He was recalled by the LA Kings on Wednesday morning and practiced with them in the morning before being returned on loan to the Reign that afternoon. The Silver Knights used two different goaltenders to kick-off the season last weekend. Carl Lindbommade 28 saves last Friday in a 2-1 overtime loss after appearing in 36 games last season posting a (18-15-3) record with a 2.65 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. Jesper Vikman allowed four goals on 36 shots on Saturday in a 4-2 loss after spending a majority of last season in the ECHL with the Tahoe Knight Monsters.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Ontario was stellar against Henderson last season posting a (6-2-0-0) record in eight meetings vs. the Silver Knights. The Reign outscored Henderson 26-18 in the head-to-head series as Glenn Gawdin paced the way with nine points (3-6-9). Tanner Laczynski tied for the Silver Knights lead with six points (3-3-6) while leading the club with three goals. Erik Portillo held a perfect 3-0 record vs. Henderson posting a 1.66 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. He allowed 1-goal or less in two of those three games while making a season high 40 saves on Dec. 31 in a 4-3 road victory. All three of his appearances in the head-to-head series came on the road. Carl Lindbom posted a 1-1-1 record in three appearances with a 1.68 goals-against average and .949 save percentage. He picked up his second career AHL shutout making 25 saves in a 1-0 victory on Jan. 18 at Toyota Arena. Both power-plays in the season series were successful as the Reign went (7-for-32, 21.9%) while Henderson went (7-for-36, 19.4%).

 100 POINT CLUB: Martin Chromiak picked up his 100^th career AHL point last Sunday scoring his first goal of the season coming on the power-play at 5:12 of the third period giving the Reign a 4-2 lead. In parts of five seasons with the Reign he has skated in 198 career games totaling 100 points (49G, 51A). The fifth-round draft pick, 128^th overall, by the Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft is coming off his most successful season in the American Hockey League having set career highs in goals (18), assists (21), and points (39) a year ago.

 SPREADING THE WEALTH: In two contests last weekend the Reign produced eight goals as seven different players found the back of the net. Otto Salin gave Ontario their first lead last Sunday afternoon making it 3-2 on a breakaway tally with 1:59 left in the second period for his first AHL score. The 21-year-old defender is playing his first full professional season in North America after appearing in three games with the Reign last April. He was drafted by LA in the 2022 NHL Draft, fifth-round, 148^th overall and signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on Mar. 31, 2025.

 SCOUTING THE SILVER KNIGHTS: The Silver Knights finished at the basement of the AHL’s Pacific Division a year ago posting a (29-38-3-2) record and are looking to qualify for post-season play for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign. Henderson’s opening night roster for the 2025-26 season included 26 players including 11 rookies and 21 players who appeared in at least one game with the club last year.