The Need To Knows
- The Time: 7pm PT
- The Place: Toyota Center, Ontario, CA
- Place to Watch: AHLtv.com, KESQ News Channel 3 in Coachella Valley proper
- Place to Listen: KDGL 106.9 The Eagle
Know Your Enemy
- Hayden Hodgson ran Shane Wright straight over at center ice late in the third period of Game 2, and got sent packing for doing so; getting two games for his trouble. If his team plays bad enough, it won’t matter, but it’s something to keep in mind. He’ll be replaced by either Martin Chromiak or Francesco Pinelli. I dare you to not think of the name Francesco Pinelli without this blaring in your head.
- Kevin Connauton was the sole goalscorer of the Reign that didn’t do so on the power play. Given how much they needed it to be effective? It’s good for him to be involved in a way that doesn’t require the referee’s involvement.
- So uh, Erik Portillo’s rocking a sub-.900 after two games and most of his goals have come from the right circle or thereabouts. And principally away from the slot or the “house”. Is he gonna play? Or is Aaron Dell going to jump in?
Game Preview
The Firebirds have backed Ontario into a corner and have them on their home turf. The Reign’s characteristic ironclad defense has completely buckled under the weight of goaltending trouble, leaving them playing a game of catchup that most nights…they’re just not prepared for.
Man it’s nice to be on the other side of that for a change.
But anyhow, Coachella cannot rest on their laurels. They simply can’t chance it right now, with Shane Wright potentially on the mend, they need to both punish Ontario for their transgression and also prove that they can survive without him for any length of time, and any leeway they can earn while the Central Division final is still a heated, pitched battle is time Wright can heal up and get back out there…potentially. The Reign meanwhile will be battling to stay alive, as they’ll have to for the next three games. To say they will be desperate is severely underselling it; some of these guys are trying to convince the Kings to play them next year…and to keep the lights on in order to live in San Bernadino.
It will be a heated battle, and the Firebirds have a chance to go for the Western Conference title for the 2nd year in a row if they manage to pull this out. Let’s go Baby Squids!