GAMEDAY: BARRACUDA at REIGN (11-26-16)
Nov 26, 2016Game #14 – San Jose (6-5-0-2) vs Bakersfield (6-3-4-0)
6:00 PM PST, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, Calif.
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Tonight’s Matchup: The San Jose Barracuda and Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings) cross paths for the second time this season and first since San Jose beat Ontario 5-4 in overtime on October 22 in Ontario. San Jose is 4-6-3-0 against the Reign all-time and 2-4-2 in Ontario.
After Saturday, the Reign and Barracuda will play six more times with the next game coming in San Jose on December 18.
Players To Watch: Daniel O’Regan leads the Barracuda in points with 13 (6-7-13) and since he return to the Barracuda lineup after making his NHL debut on Monday, November 21, 2016, vs. New Jersey, O’Regan has points in his last two games (1-1-2).
Timo Meier added an empty-net goal, and an assist in Friday’s 4-1 win over Bakersfield, the former first-round selection by San Jose in 2015 (9th overall) leads the team in plus-minus (+6) and is tied for the team lead in penalty minutes (22). Meier had goals in three straight games from November 12 to November 18. Meier has never faced the Reign.
The first year American Hockey Leaguer Tim Heed is tied for the team lead in assists (9) and is second in points (11). Heed is first in all offensive categories among Barracuda defenseman and is ranked 12th overall in the AHL in points. Heed had a season-high three assist in the 5-4 shootout win over Ontario on October 22.
Reign rookie Mike Amadio had just one point through his first eight games, but the center is currently working on a five-game point streak (3-3-6) from November 9 to current.
Between the pipes: Troy Grosenick suffered a first-period leg injury on Tuesday in Bakersfield, and he is not expected to return for 10 to 12 days. Grosenick is 3-4-0-1 on the season with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.
Mantas Armalis was sharp between the pipes for San Jose on Friday night; stopping 31 of 32 shots he faced to lead the Barracuda to a 4-1 victory over Bakersfield. Armalis is 3-1-0-1 on the year with a 3.83 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
Grosenick’s injury resulted in the recall of Jamie Murray from the Allen Americans on Thursday. Murray signed as a free agent by San Jose on July 11, 2016, after an illustrious career at Division III Babson College. In 14 pro games, all with the Allen American (ECHL), Murray is 3-6-2 with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
Veteran netminder, and former first round pick in 2010 (11th overall) by the Dallas Stars, Jack Campbell is 3-1-1 in five games with the Reign with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. Do to a plethora of injuries with the Los Angeles Kings, Campbell was recalled to the big club and appeared in just 20 minutes of action without allowing a goal. In one game against San Jose in 2016 as a member of the Texas Stars, Campbell went 1-0 with a 3.10 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.
6’8” goaltender Jack Flinn is 1-1-1-0 in three games played for Ontario with a .357 goals-against average and a .869 save percentage. Flinn began the season with the Reign’s ECHL affiliate the Manchester Monarchs where he went 1-1-0 in two starts with a 4.03 goals-against average and a .840 save percentage. Flinn spent the last three seasons with the Owen Sound Attack and Mississauga Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he went 53-53-14 with a 3.36 goals-against and a .902 save percentage.
San Jose Last Time Out: Mantas Armalis stopped 31 Bakersfield shots to lead the San Jose Barracuda (6-5-0-2) to a 4-1 win over the Condors (6-8-0-0) on Friday night at SAP Center in front of a season-high 6,303 fans.
San Jose and Bakersfield each put nine shots on net in the first, but a perfectly placed high-slot wrister at 8:59 from David Musil (1) was the difference as Bakersfield skated out to a 1-0 opening period lead.
In the second, Colin Blackwell (1) whipped his first pro goal past Laurent Brossoit as he streaked down the right wing at 8:48.
The Barracuda took control in the third, Barclay Goodrow (7) began the scoring just a minute and 27 seconds into the frame after he had redirected a Julius Bergman shot from the point on the power play. Danny O'Regan (6) extended San Jose's lead with a brilliant move through the Bakersfield defense before beating Brossoit through the five-hole at 13:06. Timo Meier (4) sealed the victory with an empty-netter at 19:11.
Armalis earned his first win in his third game against the Condors. Brossoit suffered the loss (6-3-0-0) by allowing three goals on 36 shots.
Ontario’s Last Time Out: The Ontario Reign topped the Stockton Heat at home on Wednesday night, 3-1, and have now earned points in four straight games (3-0-1). Jack Campbell made 17 saves, and Jonny Brodzinski earned the game winner with his second period tally as the Reign collected a win in game one of five straight at home.