Ontario Reign Game Preview: Reign and Checkers Collide Today Over
March 17, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Ontario, CA - The Ontario Reign, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), visit the Charlotte Checkers today at 4:15 PT at Bojangles' Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Today is the third of four regular-season meetings between the two teams.
Playoff Push: The Reign enter today's contest third in the Pacific Division and hold a magic number of 15 points to clinch a Calder Cup Playoff berth. The Charlotte Checkers are on the edge of a postseason spot, sitting in fifth place of the Central Division, and hold a magic number of 39 points. The number is reduced with points earned or teams outside the playoff picture failing to earn standings points.
Series at a Glance: The Reign are 2-0-0-0 against the Checkers and are 4-2-0-0 all-time. Reign forward Mike Amadio and defenseman Zac Leslie each have one goal and two assists for three points against the Checkers. Checkers forward Levko Koper leads the series with three goals.
Home Sweet Home: The Checkers open a six-game homestand today and are 18-9-1-0 at Bojangles' Coliseum this season. On the road, the Checkers are 10-18-3-0.
Last Time in Charlotte: The last time the Reign visited the Checkers was back on December 5 and 6, 2016. In the first contest, defenseman Kevin Gravel registered two assists and forwards Paul Bissonnette and Michael Mersch lit the goal lamp in a 3-1 victory. The following day, forward Jonny Brodzinski grabbed his first professional goal and defenseman Vincent LoVerde and forward Sean Backman each picked up a goal and an assist en route to a 5-1 win.
Familiar Faces: Checkers forward Kris Newbury skated in 44 games with the Reign last season scoring 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists). This season, he scored a goal against the Reign on December 3 at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Reign forwards Brett Sutter and T.J. Hensick each spent time in a Checkers uniform. Sutter skated with the Checkers from 2010-14 and served as team captain and Hensick appeared in 46 games with the Checkers last season grabbing 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists).
Central Division Success: The Reign are 6-0-0-0 against the Central Division this season (2-0-0 vs. Iowa, Rockford and Charlotte) and 12-2-0-0 all-time (Iowa, Rockford, Charlotte, Manitoba).
Broadcast Central Listen Live: OntarioReign.com Twitter: @OntarioReign Facebook: OntarioReign
Game Notes
The Ontario Reign take on the Checkers in a rematch tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. PT at Bojangles' Coliseum! Catch all the action at OntarioReign.com! Join the Reign Watch Party at Hooters in Ontario!
Celebrate the weekend with the Reign on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25 against the San Antonio Rampage at 7:00 PT and 6:00 PT at Citizens Business Bank Arena! Friday is $2 Bud Light Friday! Buy Tickets
Become a "Fan" of the Reign on Facebook at Facebook.com/OntarioReign, join the conversation on Twitter at Twitter.com/OntarioReign and follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/OntarioReignHockey.
2016-17 Records Ontario: 30-17-9-0, 69 points (3rd, Pacific Division) Charlotte: 28-27-4-0, 60 points (5th, Central Division)
2016-17 Head-to-Head Schedule (All Times Local) Dec. 3 Charlotte at Ontario 3-2 Win Recap Dec. 10 Charlotte at Ontario 5-2 Win Recap Mar. 17 Ontario at Charlotte 7:15 pm EDT Mar. 18 Ontario at Charlotte 6:00 pm EDT
Ontario vs. Charlotte, All-Time Head-to-Head Record 4-2-0-0
2015-2016 Records Ontario: 44-19-4-1, 93 points, .684 winning percentage (1st place, Pacific Division) Charlotte: 36-32-3-5, 80 points, .526 winning percentage (5th place, Central Division)
Head Coaches Ontario: Mike Stothers (3rd season with Kings affiliate, 2nd with Ontario) Charlotte: Ulf Samuelsson (1st season with Charlotte)
NHL Affiliate Ontario: Los Angeles Kings Charlotte: Carolina Hurricanes
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