The Reign were off for a week, and really didn't play well Friday night, losing 4-1 at home to the Oilers farm team. What do they do? Get on a bus after the night game, travel 6 1/2 hours to San Jose, and then whip the little Sharkies 7-3 the following night. Kudos to the boys battling in this playoff race. Right now the Reign are in 3rd place in the division. Top four go to the playoffs. If the playoffs started today we would be playing the Gulls (again). Petersen played in back to back games after the long bus ride. Steven Johnson was scratched again.
Congrats to Kyle Bauman on his first pro goal last night in his 3rd game. Every other skater on the roster has a goal this season with the exception of MacDermid (24 games) and Imama (35 games).
Talk about a tale of two seasons. Philippe Maillet is an offensively minded player. He's quick and shifty, pretty fast, decent puck handler, underrated shot. Okay passing vision. The first half of the season he played on lower lines since the centers were Amadio, Hensick and Sutter for the most part, although Sutter often plays wing. Maillet struggled with only 3 G and 2 A in 31 games. Since moving up in the line up due to Amadio's departure, he often centers the first line. In 25 games since, he has 14 G and 10 A, including a 5 point gem last night. Not bad. Not bad at all. He asked Futa for one of those NHL contracts. He's a long shot due to his age and size, but he showing he's got game. Maillet and Hensick picking up their games in the second half have given the Reign a huge lift.
Let's hope the Kings can show the same gumption in these remaining contests to get into the dance.