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Sometimes the AHL and NHL schedules sync up perfectly. Following a heavyweight fight between the Kings and Oilers on Saturday night, now their respective AHL clubs are set to do battle on Sunday afternoon. <\/p>\n
From an Ontario perspective, things look very different from when coach Andrew Lord\u2019s team began a five-game homestand on New Year\u2019s Eve. Since then, not one, not two, but three of their top players have been called up to LA over the last eleven days. Not to mention, captain Joe Hicketts missed a few games while representing Team Canada at the Spengler Cup.<\/p>\n
Although that appeared to present a stiff challenge for Lord & Co., shuffling the lineup around hasn\u2019t proven to be as crippling as some may have feared. Replacing Andre Lee, the team\u2019s leading goal and point scorer, and Taylor Ward, the club\u2019s leader in shots on goal, was far from easy. Yet, somehow, Ontario hasn\u2019t missed a beat, putting together a four-game win streak and sitting just one point back of first place in the Pacific Division. <\/p>\n
Keeping that momentum going in Bakersfield against the Condors will likely take the proverbial full team effort. <\/p>\n
Of late, it\u2019s been several young players who have stood out. Kings prospect and first-year pro Koehn Ziemmer is starting to establish himself as one of the Reign\u2019s more important pieces. After beginning his 2025-26 season in the press box \u2014 missing the first six games as a healthy scratch \u2014 he\u2019s emerged to earn a spot on the top power-play unit. Last time out on Friday night perhaps punctuated his rise with a standout performance. The WHL product produced a power-play goal and added an assist, earning himself second star of the game honors.<\/p>\n
Kenny. Edward. Connors.<\/p>\n
We’ve tried to warn you for several years. https:\/\/t.co\/rQ7m5v0u61<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Who claimed first star of the game? Fellow rookie Kenny Connors. The fast-rising Kings prospect has also been elevated to the top power-play unit, and he delivered right away, Connors set up Ziemmer\u2019s power-play goal with the primary assist. Further, he\u2019s been Mr. Reliable all year long; making smart decisions, limiting mistakes, and contributing in every facet of the game. <\/p>\n Those qualities have earned him strong praise from veteran Jacob Doty, the longest-tenured Ontario Reign player:<\/p>\n Remember folks, Jacob Doty is in his 7th season with the Reign. Why is that relevant?<\/p>\n He has seen the likes of Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, Brandt Clarke, and a plethora of other guys come through Ontario and thrive at the NHL level. This compliment means a lot.<\/p>\n \u2014 Anthony Collazo (@anthonycollazo_) January 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Furthermore, 23-year-old Martin Chromiak is having the best season of his career. With 14 goals and 10 assists so far, he\u2019s on pace to surpass all of his previous career totals.<\/p>\n Then there are two other rookies, as well, forward Jared Wright and defenseman Kirill Kirsanov. Wright sits at plus-15, and Kirsanov has arguably been Ontario\u2019s best defenseman throughout the season.<\/p>\n In short, the kids in Ontario have been outstanding, and they aim to carry that play into the start of a six-game road trip. <\/p>\n In goal, veteran Pheonix Copley will likely get the nod. Last time out against Iowa, he stopped 24-of-27 shots faced in a 4-3 victory for the Reign. It\u2019s been more than a year since he last played in Bakersfield. That came on Nov. 30, 2024, when he allowed just one goal on 26 shots.<\/p>\n Injury Updates<\/p>\n Big Kings prospect Kaleb Lawrence is nearing a return very soon (perhaps as early as tonight). The 6-foot-7 forward rode the wave of winning OHL Championship with London in 2024 into his first pro season during last year\u2019s campaign. He eventually earned an important spot on Ontario\u2019s fourth line one year ago and started there again this season. Unfortunately, Lawrence went down with an injury after opening weekend against Tucson. Getting the big man back can\u2019t come soon enough, as he\u2019s a glue guy who helps keep things light among his teammates, adds some significant toughness to the Reign lineup, and chips in with secondary offense. <\/p>\n Conversely, the news isn\u2019t as positive for a pair of defensemen who remain sidelined. Word is, neither Kyle Burroughs nor Jack Millar are close to a return. They\u2019re both going to need some more time before touching the ice again. <\/p>\n ROSTER MOVE <\/p>\n Ontario Reign have assigned goalie Isaiah Saville to ECHL Greenville. The move restores things to the way they were before Portillo injury and Copley’s NHL call-up. #GoKingsGo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Anthony Collazo (@anthonycollazo_) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n One additional note, with Erik Portillo recently returning from injury and Copley back in Ontario after a brief NHL callup, goalie Isaiah Saville has been sent to ECHL Greenville. <\/p>\n Reign Projected Lineup vs. Condors<\/p>\n If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.<\/p>\n Alexandrov \u2013 Gawdin \u2013 Chromiak Hicketts \u2013 Salin Copley (starter) Likely scratches: (F) Brown, Guttman and (D) Rego <\/p>\n Recalled to LA: Lee and Ward<\/p>\n Injured: Burroughs, Lawrence, Millar<\/p>\n Key Game Info<\/p>\n Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time and will be streamed via FloSports<\/a>. Additionally, a Reign radio feed is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow @mayorNHL<\/a><\/p>\n Gameday image by ALoImages<\/p>\n Note to webmasters\/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com<\/a><\/p>\n
Isogai \u2013 Connors \u2013 Wright
Jamsen \u2013 Pinelli \u2013 Ziemmer
Mastrodonato \u2013 Hughes \u2013 Doty<\/p>\n
Dvorak \u2013 Bolduc
Kirsanov \u2013 Booth<\/p>\n
Portillo<\/p>\n