Firebirds @ Reign Game 3 RECAP: Coachella completes sweep, will go to Western Conference Final!

I am SO READY FOR THIS

….If only the other series didn’t have a near week long layover.

The Highlights!

Game Notes

• This was actually the tightest game either of these teams played to this point in the playoffs; the shots were pretty even, the checking was tight, and while both goalies gave up 2…I think you can forgive at least one per side, as the Toyota Center ice was
• Portillo once again let in a crippling goal from the circles as it allowed the Firebirds the confidence to will their way back into the contest after a grim first period. After that, it was bread and butter stuff; attack the net, try to get Portillo to move, the usual. Driedger, by comparison, really settled down after that first period and finished the night with a .916 SV% on 24 shots.
• Kole Lind was the hero of Game 3; particularly in his 2nd goal of the evening, where he got a heads up pass to suck pretty much any wind out of the Reign’s sails by being left completely alone out in front. He finished the night with a pair of goals, led the team in shots, and got the first star of the night. Well deserved.
• Jimmy Schuldt seems to be shining whenever the Firebirds need something big to happen; he got Coachella ahead in Game 1, and got things tied up here in Game 3. Something about Ontario must agree with him!
• Mercifully, Shane Wright is only day-to-day. Which is good; they’re gonna need him for the longest bit of travel in the AHL playoffs yet; The Western Conference Finals.

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So while the Firebirds are awaiting their foe in the Western Conference…it’s gonna be a minute until they know the answer. The Central Division Finals have been spaced out extremely oddly, and as such the Milwaukee Admirals and Grand Rapids Griffons are gonna be playing their 2nd game tomorrow, and then the third game is on Wednesday. There’s a chance that the Firebirds don’t know their foe until Friday at the very earliest…and may yet have to wait until Sunday if it goes long enough.

So until then, let’s hope Shane gets healthy, and let’s head to the Western Conference Finals!

Whenever that is.

Keep Calm, and Post the Firebird When We Win!