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Firebirds fall to Reign in Game 2, series now tied 1-1
TL;DR
The Coachella Valley Firebirds lost 5-1 to the Ontario Reign in Game 2, tying the series 1-1. The Firebirds will host Games 3 and 4 at Acrisure Arena next week.
Key points
- Firebirds lost Game 2 to Reign 5-1
- Series is tied 1-1
- Firebirds scored first in Game 2
- Games 3 and 4 at Acrisure Arena next week
- Deciding Game 5 possible in Ontario
Coachella Valley FirebirdsOntario ReignCalder Cup Playoffs
Well, Game 2 went about as expected.
After the Coachella Valley Firebirds won Game 1 of their best-of-five series Wednesday, the Ontario Reign answered back emphatically Friday.
The Firebirds' 5-1 loss to the Reign evened the series, 1-1, and now Coachella Valley will have a chance to close out the Calder Cup Playoffs series at home, with Games 3 and 4 at Acrisure Arena on Tuesday and Thursday. If the Firebirds are unable to close it out at home, a deciding Game 5 would be back in Ontario.
Following a 3-0 win on Wednesday, Coachella Valley picked right up where it left off by scoring the first goal on Friday. The Lleyton Roed goal came at the 7:52 mark of the first period and seemed to put the Reign back on their heels once again.
But Logan Brown answered back for Ontario to tie the score entering the first intermission, before Glenn Gawdin scored in the second period to give the Reign a 2-1 lead entering the second intermission.
Cole Guttman scored just 15 seconds into the third, issuing a major blow to a potential Firebirds comeback, and Francesco Pinelli scored a short-handed goal to increase Ontario's lead to 4-1. The final goal came from Martin Chromiak on an empty net, with the Firebirds pulling goalie Nikke Kokko to get an extra skater on the ice.
The Firebirds were 0-for-5 on the power play and did not have to kill off a single penalty. Coachella Valley is 3-0 when scoring on the power play in these playoffs and 0-2 when they don't score on the power play.
After a Game 1 shutout, Kokko saved 19 shots Friday. Pheonix Copley started in the net for Erick Portillo, who started Game 1 for the Reign, and Copley saved 34 shots to get the win.
Coachella Valley outshot Ontario, 35-24. For the series, the Firebirds have outshot the Reign, 68-47.
The Firebirds and Reign are playing to reach the Pacific Division finals, against either the Colorado Eagles or the Henderson Silver Knights. The winner of the Pacific Division will then play in the Western Conference Finals.
Schedule for Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. Ontario Reign
- Game 1: Wednesday — Firebirds 3, Ontario 0
- Game 2: Friday — Ontario 5, Firebirds 1 (Series tied 1-1)
- Game 3: Tuesday, May 5 - Ontario at Coachella Valley (Acrisure Arena), 7 p.m.
- Game 4: Thursday, May 7 - Ontario at Coachella Valley (Acrisure Arena), 7 p.m.
Q&A
What was the score of Game 2 between the Firebirds and Reign?
The Ontario Reign defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds 5-1 in Game 2.
How is the series between the Firebirds and Reign currently standing?
The series is currently tied 1-1 after the Firebirds won Game 1 and lost Game 2.
When are Games 3 and 4 of the Calder Cup Playoffs?
Games 3 and 4 will be held at Acrisure Arena on Tuesday and Thursday next week.
What happened in the first period of Game 2?
The Firebirds scored first with a goal by Lleyton Roed, but the Reign tied the game shortly after with a goal from Logan Brown.
