Well, the Coachella Valley Firebirds forced a Game 5.
With the season on the line, facing elimination from the Calder Cup Playoffs in Game 4 of their best-of-five series against the Ontario Reign, the Firebirds again answered the call.
Thursday’s 6-2 win staved off elimination and forced a winner-take-all Game 5 Saturday in Ontario. Coachella Valley has now won all three games this postseason when facing elimination.
“It was an elimination game,” Firebirds forward Mitchell Stephens said. “I think our team, up and down the lineup, we showed a lot of compete and desperation and I think that carried us over tonight.”
In the win, the Firebirds overcame a deficit to keep their season alive. The Firebirds held the Reign without a shot on goal for the first 14 minutes of the game, but Ontario scored on its first shot to take a lead late in the first period that momentarily silenced the home crowd.
But not long after Reign forward Jack Hughes scored, Firebirds forward J.R. Avon tied the game with a power play goal just before the first intermission. It was Avon’s fourth postseason goal.
In the second period, Coachella Valley forward Mitchell Stephens weaved through three Reign defenders before firing the puck into the back of the net. The home crowd of 6,168 erupted.
Four minutes later, just before the second intermission, forward Oscar Fisker Mølgaard drew Reign defenders away and delivered a no-look pass to wide open defenseman Kaden Hammell, who one-timed the puck past Reign goalie Pheonix Copley.
Copley, who played in Game 2, replaced Erik Portillo, who allowed just one goal in Game 3. He allowed another goal, early in the third, to Lleyton Roed on the rush. Shortly after, Queen’s “We Will Rock You” echoed throughout the arena as fans celebrated.
Ontario forward Nikita Alexandrov scored with 4:43 remaining on 6-on-5 play after the reign pulled its goalie. Jagger Firkus and Mølgaard scored empty net goals moments later to secure the win.
“The guys really stepped up their game,” Firebirds head coach Derek Laxdal said. “Obviously our backs were against the wall. So, now it’s a one-game shot in Ontario on Saturday night.”
In the net for the Firebirds, Nikke Kokko saved 26 shots, with Coachella Valley controlling the puck throughout the game. The Firebirds outshot the Reign, 33-28.
Coachella Valley finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. The Firebirds are 4-0 in these playoffs when scoring on the power play, and 0-3 when they do not.
Game 5 will start at 6 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario.
“We’re familiar with their arena,” Firebirds defenseman Gustav Olofsson said. “Game’s a little different there. We’ll be sure to be ready over the next two days here.”
Schedule for Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. Ontario Reign
[This story has been updated to add new information.]
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Firebirds come alive, force Game 5 with convincing win over Reign
Reporting by Andrew John, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
