Weekend Preview: Ontario Reign @ Manitoba Moose

Updated 10/16/15

After stomping all over the Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers), the Reign look to continue their hot start this weekend in Winnipeg against the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets). Things went well on Thursday, as Ontario scored a decisive 4-1 victory over Manitoba. This was the inaugural home opener for the second incarnation of the Manitoba Moose; last year, they were the St. John's Ice Caps.

Heading into tonight's re-match, Moose Head Coach Keith McCambridge wants his team to "move past the nerves and focus in on the game."

Ontario Reign vs. Manitoba Moose (MTS Centre)
Time: 5 PM Pacific (Thursday, Saturday)
Listen: Mixlr

Watch: AHL Live

Lines

Reign (based on 10/15/15) (starters in bold):

9 Adrian Kempe - 11 Kris Newbury - 16 Sean Backman

27 Michael Mersch - 26 Nic Dowd - 7 Valentin Zykov

39 Justin Auger - 21 Andrew Crescenzi - 25 Scott Sabourin

15 Paul Bissonnette - 24 Ryan Horvat - 12 Johnny Brodzinski

2 Kurtis MacDermid - 5 Vincent Loverde

4 Kevin Gravel - 6 Jamie McBain

55 Jeff Schultz - 33 Kevin Raine

31 Peter Budaj

32 Ray Emery

Moose (based on 10/15/15) (starters in bold):

25 Matt Fraser - 28 Patrice Cormier - 10 Joel Armia

15 Matt Halischuk - 19 Chase De Leo - 24 Scott Kosmachuk

17 Jimmy Lodge - 16 John Albert - 34 JC Lipon

22 Darren Kramer - 9 Ryan Olsen - 50 Austen Brassard

44 Julian Melchiori - 8 Brenden Kichton

20 Jay Harrison - 3 Jan Kostalek

7 Josh Morrissey - 2 Andrew MacWilliam

37 Connor Hellebuyck

1 Eric Comrie

Game Notes

• The Moose are back in Winnipeg, having moved from St. John's to Manitoba this summer when the AHL Pacific Division was taking shape.
• The Moose are 0-2-0-1, 1 point (6th Central Division, 13th Western Conference) while the Reign are 2-0-0-0, 4 points (Tied-1st Pacific Division, Tied-2nd Western Conference)
• Connor Hellebuyck is a legit goaltending prospect who is the future of Winnipeg. He has always presented a huge challenge for the Monarchs so it should be a fun game tonight.
• There was quite a bit of roster turnover for both teams, but most of these guys are fairly familiar with each other and Do Not Like Each Other. Games are usually a chippy affair on both sides and it'll behoove the Reign to make sure they stay out of the penalty box.
• The Reign will return for their own home opener on Friday, Oct. 23./