Hayden helped lead the Firebirds to a 4-3 victory in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals
Former Yale Bulldog John Hayden helped lead the Coachella Valley Firebirds to a Game 1 victory Friday night over the Hershey Bears.
With the two teams facing off to open the Calder Cup Finals, Hayden's two goal night helped guide the Firebirds to a 4-3 victory.
Early on in the first period, the Bears were able to open the scoring but Hayden answered back for Coachella Valley with a shorthanded goal.
Fast forward towards the end of the second period and the Firebirds are up 3-2. With 4:49 left on the clock, Hayden's second tally of the night helped extend their lead by two and ended up being the game-winning goal.
A 2013 third-round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks, Hayden played parts of four seasons at Yale where he scored 50 goals and added 41 assists for 91 points in 127 games. Throughout his time in the NCAA, Hayden was named to the All-Ivy League First Team, All-Ivy League Second Team, ECAC Second All-Star Team and was named captain of the Bulldogs his senior year.
As the Firebirds look to capture their first Calder Cup, Hayden has been a key player with 12 points in 13 playoff games - good for first on the team. Set to hit free agency after the season, Hayden should draw interest for teams looking to add scoring depth.
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