A week has passed, and it’s time for another LA Kings prospect update. Last week’s update saw two prospects highlight the update, but only one did this week. That player was goaltender Erik Portillo. Portillo went 2-0-0 with a .932 save percentage (three goals allowed, 41 saves on 44 shots faced) in two starts, helping the Ontario Reign defeat the Calgary Wranglers and Coachella Valley Firebirds; two top-three teams in the AHL’s Pacific Division.
Ales Stezka and Erik Portillo lead the teams out onto the ice for warm-ups. #ReignTrain pic.twitter.com/T4eZXlIffv
— Kyle Garcia (@Kopitar4HOF) December 22, 2024
Portillo has rebounded nicely after a slow start to the season, including an illness that knocked him out for three games. Dating back to November 13th, a 4-1 Reign win over the Tucson Roadrunners, the 24-year-old netminder has allowed two goals or less in five of his last six AHL starts (he made his NHL debut in between). Portillo has an 8-2-0 record, 2.37 GAA, and a .910 save percentage in 10 games with the Reign.
Starting Crew#ReignTrain I #CGYvsONT pic.twitter.com/XZy0AfMdNB
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) December 19, 2024
Lineup locked
#ReignTrain I #CVvsONT pic.twitter.com/nXW08tIi73
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) December 22, 2024
Here is how the rest of the players in the pipeline did during the week:
Hampton will be repping the red, white and blue at World Juniors!
https://t.co/3WDzQ1ze9e #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/9WDQfaaWXg
— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) December 19, 2024
GREENTREE TAKES BACK THE LEAD
@LAKings 2024 first round #NHLDraft pick Liam Greentree buried one, giving @SpitsHockey a 2-1 lead in the second frame!
#OHL | @CHLHockey | #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/RbFoKHgFCu
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 20, 2024
What a beauty
Chris Thibodeau
Blake Smith
Matthew Mania pic.twitter.com/GxPpA80Csh
— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) December 21, 2024
#GoKingsGo RHD prospect Matthew Mania recorded two secondary assists in this game for the Flint Firebirds.
16 Pts in 32 GP for the 19-year-old. https://t.co/N2lq4Du0CV
— Kyle Garcia (@Kopitar4HOF) December 21, 2024
Carter George starts tonight for Team
Seems like he’s got the inside track to be the go-to goalie at #WorldJuniors
“He has the knack for the big moments,” says @HockeyCanada goalie consultant Dan De Palmahttps://t.co/qihzokHEsc
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) December 23, 2024
A turnover in a dangerous spot and Lawrence makes them pay!
K. Lawrence https://t.co/r7WJHyhOSy pic.twitter.com/ROABRSeC8r
— Greenville Swamp Rabbits (@SwampRabbits) December 20, 2024
JACOB. DARRYL. SANTANA. INGHAM. pic.twitter.com/D2qVVEaTTk
— Greenville Swamp Rabbits (@SwampRabbits) December 20, 2024
Last night’s Retro Night @PeakDriftBrew Moment Of The Game was Jacob Ingham’s 29-save shutout!#peakdriftmoment pic.twitter.com/MjGM64ZaIS
— Greenville Swamp Rabbits (@SwampRabbits) December 20, 2024
FRANKIE! FRANKIE! FRANKIE!#ReignTrain I #ONTvsCV pic.twitter.com/mn2FQG9fX9
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) December 21, 2024
*Dvorak (Czechia), George (Canada), and Slukysnky (USA) will play in the World Juniors starting December 26th.
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