J.R. Avon scored 1:47 into the second overtime of game-5 as the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds advanced to the third round of the Calder Cup playoffs with a 3-2 victory over the pacific division’s top-seeded Ontario Reign.
It was the 4th time the Firebirds have won a game this postseason when facing elimination and it was Avon’s 5th goal of the playoffs, one behind league leader and teammate Oscar Fisker-Mölgaard.
Avon took a stretch pass from defenseman Tyson Jugnauth, raced in behind the Reign D, and backhanded a deke past goalie Erik Portillo.
Jani Nyman and Mølgaard gave the Firebirds 1-0 and 2-1 leads before Jack Hughes and Andre Lee pulled the Reign even. Lee’s goal came at the 14:37 mark of the third period to force overtime for the first time in the series.
Nikke Kokko made 34 saves for the Firebirds, while Portillo stopped 31 shots for Ontario.
The Firebirds advance to take on Colorado in a best-of-five series that begins Wednesday night. The Eagles finished off the Henderson Silver Knights with a 6-2 win on Saturday, taking that series three games to one.
The Eagles are the division’s 2nd seed, while the Firebirds came in ranked 4th.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken’s AHL Firebirds Face Deciding Game
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks Rutherford Steps Down But Sticks Around
Avon’s game winner, courtesy of Firebirds X …
