Firebirds One Win Away From AHL Final After Sinking Admirals 5-2

The Coachella Valley Firebirds script worked just as successfully in Milwaukee as it had in Palm Desert.

For the second straight game of the AHL Western Conference Finals, the Firebirds took a lead in the first minute. For the second straight game, Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans, on loan to Coachella Valley, scored a 1st period goal.

Most important, the Firebirds built a four goal lead, coasted to a 5-2 victory, and now lead the best-of-seven series 3-0. Coachella Valley ran its postseason win streak to nine, and stands one victory away from a return trip to the Calder Cup Final.

Like the series against the Admirals, the Final is poised to be a rematch from 2023. The Hershey Bears lead the Eastern Conference Finals 3-0 over the Cleveland Monsters.

Goalie Chris Driedger (above photo) made 31 saves to run his playoff record to 9-1. He improved already sparkling postseason numbers, a 2.09 GAA and .933 save percentage when the evening began.

Cale Fleury got things off to a good start for the visitors at UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena 31 seconds after the opening faceoff.

Seven seconds after a power play expired, Evans' third goal of the playoffs doubled the Coachella lead at 9:03. (Evans would leave the Firebirds bench in the 3rd period with an undisclosed ailment.)

2021 Kraken 3rd round draft pick Ryan Winterton made it 3-0 at 16:04. It was Winterton's first playoff goal.

Captain Max McCormick increased the lead to 4-0 early in the 2nd period.

Marc Del Gaizo and Fedor Svechkov got Milwaukee back within 4-2 before the end of the 2nd period. The scoresheet remained clean thereafter, until Jacob Melanson's empty-netter finalized the score at 5-2 with 2:28 left.

Coachella Valley can punch its return ticket to the AHL championship round in Game 4 on Thursday. 

Of note: Kraken 2022 1st round draft choice Shane Wright missed his 4th consecutive game. Wright hasn't played since being injured in Game 2 of the series against the Ontario Reign.