The back and forth affair saw the Firebirds emerge with a 7-5 win over the Wranglers
The Coachella Valley Firebirds took a 2-1 series lead Wednesday after a thrilling 7-5 win over the Calgary Wranglers in Game 3.
Heading into Wednesday evening, the Wranglers and Firebirds had each earned a victory in the series. Calgary opened the Pacific Division Semifinals with a 4-1 Game 1 win before the Firebirds punched back with a 4-3 OT Game 2 win.
On Wednesday, it was the Wranglers who took an early lead, with the opening power play tally coming off the stick of defenseman Jonathan Aspirot only six minutes into the opening frame.
With each team exchanging scoring chances, it wasn't long before the Firebirds came back with a goal of their own, with John Hayden scoring his first of the playoffs just over halfway through the first period.
Having gained momentum back, the Firebirds scored another goal just 42 seconds later off the stick of Jacob Melanson's stick for the 2-1 lead.
With each team collecting 10 shots, the first period came to an end with the Firebirds still holding onto a 2-1 lead.
The Wranglers came out of the gates early in the second with Adam Klapka scoring a power play goal less than three minutes in to even the score.
A common theme seen throughout Game 3, the Firebirds took back the lead less than four minutes later with Marian Studenic scoring his first of the playoffs.
Although the Wranglers led in the shot department in the second period, it was the Firebirds who took the 3-2 lead into the intermission.
In what could be described as one of the wildest periods in the Calder Cup Playoffs so far, the third period saw an offensive explosion come from both teams.
With the Wranglers scoring on the power play less than a minute in to tie the game, the next ten minutes saw another four goals scored - one for the Wranglers (from Cole Schwindt) and three for the Firebirds (coming from Marian Studenic, Devin Shore and Max McCormick).
Making the situation even more interesting was the fact that every goal wasn't scored at even strength. The Wranglers' goal came on another power play, giving them four goals on the man advantage for the night. On the other side, the Firebirds scored one goal shorthanded and the other two on the man advantage.
While Jakob Pelletier scored to make it 6-5 with just over eight minutes to go, the Wranglers weren't able to tie the game and the Firebirds added an empty netter to seal the game.
With Game 4 scheduled for tomorrow night, the Firebirds have the chance to punch their ticket to the Pacific Division Finals for a matchup against the Ontario Reign with a victory.
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