Fresno Monsters vs. Ontario Jr. Reign 2025 Premier Playoffs Preview
- Lyanna Yeow
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2
What to expect in the upcoming Premier Playoffs 2025 game series against the Fresno Monsters and Ontario Jr. Reign.
What you need to know for the second round of the 2025 Premier Playoffs:
When:
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7:45 PM PST
Friday, March 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM PST
Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST (If necessary)
Where:
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7:45 PM PST
Gateway Ice Center
Friday, March 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM PST
Gateway Ice Center
Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST (If necessary)
Gateway Ice Center
Watch:
The Fresno Monsters and Ontario Jr. Reign will face one another in round 2 of the 2025 Premier Playoffs which will take place on the Monsters’ home ice at Gateway Ice Center. In previous matchups during the regular season, the Fresno Monsters had the upper hand when they faced the Ontario Jr. Reign. Although the Ontario Jr. Reign did struggle in the past against the Fresno Monsters, their fight and determination to remain strong and fight through the hardships will be what aids them in this series.
During the first round of the playoffs, both teams swept their first round series in two-games. With their successful performances during the first round, these teams also enter round 2 with a two-game winning streak.
The Fresno Monsters clinched a playoff spot and the Pacific Division by ending the regular season with 74 points and a season record of 37-9-0-0. Their leading scorers during the regular season were #21 Simon Eriksson who had 94 points (40 G, 54 A) and #23 Filipp Papshev who had 77 points (39 G, 38 A) recorded by the end of the regular season. In the 2025 Premier Playoffs, the Monsters’ top goal scorers are also #21 Simon Eriksson and #23 Filipp Papshev who both have 2 goals scored. The Monsters’ points leader is #23 Filipp Papshev who currently has 4 points recorded in the playoffs so far (2 G, 2 A). In regards to goaltending, Monsters’ Brooks Barofsky was in net for both games during round 1 of the playoffs and has a 0.939 SV% after saving 46 out of 49 shots on goal by the end of the series against Henderson Force.
The Jr. Reign were able to secure their spot in the playoffs when they clinched the 3rd spot in the Pacific Division standings and concluded the regular season with 68 points and a 33-11-2-0 season record. Their leading scorers during the regular season were #85 Denver Craig who had 88 points (38 G, 50 A) and #13 Luke Cannon who had 52 points (21 G, 31 A) recorded in the regular season. During the playoffs, their top goal scorer is #44 Carter Demelo who currently has three goals and the first hat-trick of the playoffs recorded. The players with the most points recorded during the playoffs so far are #85 Denver Craig (1 G, 4 A) and #95 Christopher Lai (4 G, 1 A) who both lead the Jr. Reign with 5 points. In regards to goaltending, Josh Henson was in net for the Jr. Reign and has a 0.915 SV% after saving 54 out of 59 shots on goal by the end of the series against the Lake Tahoe Lakers.
Going into this playoff matchup, the Monsters have a 12.5% overall power play success rate which is lower compared to Jr. Reign’s 20% overall power play success rate. Both teams have a 100% penalty killing success rate in the playoffs. When the two teams faced one another during the regular season, the Monsters were able to win five out of six games against the Jr. Reign by maintaining control over puck possession (222 SOG vs 197 SOG) and out scoring the Jr. Reign (35 G vs 24 G). The Jr. Reign did find more success while on the power play when playing against the Monsters (27.8% PP vs 15.6% PP).
The Ontario Jr. Reign, despite their previous challenges against the Fresno Monsters during the regular season, go into these match-ups with vengeance and the determination to advance to the Premier Finals for a second year in a row. On the other hand, the Fresno Monsters hope to not repeat history and instead be able to take the crown away from the Jr. Reign and advance to the Premier Finals.
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