Coachella pulls off a controversial win in OT 4-3!

Great recovery!…But this could end up turning Game 3 into a gong show.

Most importantly!

Game notes

• To think it started really quietly. Both sides were very quiet for the first 30 minutes… and then it was a track match that the Firebirds were happy to ride, starting with Kole Lind's first play, especially in the 3rd period.
• But the main thing to come out of this, of course, is how Coachella pulled it off. Devin Shore made a powerful drive to the front of the net, attacked the puck from inside, got it by Wolf, and the Wranglers quickly lost their minds about it. I gather their concerns are: Shore might have interfered with Wolfe (he didn't), there was a missed penalty (maybe lmao) and they were offside (they were… maybe, honestly) and it doesn't matter because the refs are fringes. … decided not to be taken into account. And you can't go against that in the AHL. He warmed up the Calgary broadcast, which was the Wranglers players It got so heated that they actively sought out the refs who were about to make a hasty retreat and were forced back into the locker room. What am I thinking? The Firebirds won, so I think there are some mistakes we have to admit about playoff refereeing. They make mistakes, they miss things, and you have to leave room for doubt. The Firebirds left room for doubt and look what happened last year against Hershey! It can happen to anyone and it can happen in Calgary.
  • However, in reality, Game 3 will either break will or burn tires as a result of this game. Firebirds is necessary to be ready for it.
• It's hard to bring up a goalkeeper in this game because he was excellent for exactly 30 minutes and then both sides stopped defending. Driedger ended up with a .900 SV% in the money, and considering both sides suddenly decided it was a track meet, that's pretty good!
• Of course, I say all this in terms of “big picture” defense; A great assist was stopped in OT when Driedger went down and out and a defender fell. Calgary still had too much hitting to not take advantage of the yawning net! Great job when the chips are down!
• Finally, the Firebirds can go home and take control of this series for good. It is better to calculate it.

Eventually, the series will leave Alberta and return to Palm Desert, California. Game 3 is Wednesday in the Pacific time zone and will begin at 7 p.m. PT.

We have a draft lottery to focus on, but after we get Kraken space on the board? We'll happily get you back on the road to enjoy. Watch it!