Saturday night in Ontario, California, the Kraken’s American Hockey League Coachella Valley Firebirds will take on the Reign in the deciding game of the Calder Cup pacific division semi-finals.
After Wednesday’s 6-2 victory to stay alive in the best-of-five match-up against the LA Kings AHL affiliate, the division’s top seed, the Firebirds are now 8-and-3 in games when facing elimination over their four year existence. Boosting that record to 9-and-3 would also mean a trip to the division finals against the winner of the Colorado Eagles – Henderson Silver Knights series.
The Eagles lead that match-up two games to one with game-4 on Saturday night.
The Firebirds kept their postseason alive with solid performances from goalie Nikke Kokko, who made 26 saves on Wednesday, defenseman Kaden Hammell, who tallied a goal and an assist, and J.R. Avon, who scored his fourth goal of the playoffs.
Jagger Firkus and Oscar Fisker Mølgaard picked up late empty-netters for Coachella Valley.
Puck drop in the deciding game is a little after 6 pm pacific at the Toyota Arena in Ontario.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Prospect Leading Silvertips To New Heights
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks Rutherford Steps Down But Sticks Around
The Firebirds post-victory:
