After going 5-0 to start the postseason, the Ontario Reign got swept in three games by the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Just like game one, this game started off on the right foot for the Reign, and came down to the wire where you felt as though the Reign would get that big goal in the final seconds.
The start of the first period was exactly what you expected. Super tight in the neutral zone, with hardly any chances through the first six minutes.
But a costly turnover by Ville Ottavainen allowed Turcotte to handle the puck on the forecheck and bury it home above the right shoulder of Chris Driedger.
Another heavy forecheck by the Reign gave Clarke an opening to shoot from the point. The puck trickled underneath Driedger, and Tyler Madden poked it home to give the Reign a 2-0 lead.
It was the perfect start for the Reign. Being down 0-2, they needed a start like this, playing spectacularly in all three zones of the ice, and having a multi-score lead.
Things took a turn in the second period. The first shot the Firebirds took 5:41 into the period was a goal by Kole Lind.
Six minutes later, Jimmy Schuldt took a slapshot from the left point, redirecting off Brandt Clarke and past Portillo. Just like that, it was a tie game.
A do-or-die third period for the Reign, and with it being tied, you had that feeling the next goal would seal things.
Forty six seconds into the third, Andrew Poturalski beat Joe Hicketts in a puck battle on the forecheck, and found Lind out in front all alone, one-timing it by Portillo for the lead.
It would be Lind’s sixth goal and tenth point against Ontario this season, a true Reign killer.
The Reign did everything they could in the final minutes. They even had a power play and an extra skater in the final 2:11 of the game, and despite coming close multiple times, the Firebirds came away with the win.
A truly gut wrenching loss for a team that felt like they deserved better than a sweep to end their season.
Here are my three takeaways from the game
Credit To The Firebirds:
In games one and three, it seemed as though the Reign played up to their hype. It was not as though they got completely dominated, despite getting swept.
But the Firebirds are the defending Western Conference Champions for a reason, they really are that good. They just find ways to get it done.
All year long, you knew that if the Reign had championship aspirations, you were going to have to go through the buzzsaw Coachella Valley is.
The Firebirds were also without Shane Wright in this game after taking the hit from Hayden Hodgson in game two.
Everything about Coachella’s game is simply astonishing. Their forecheck, speed, offense on the rush, neutral zone trap, backcheck, goaltending, they are just a complete team.
At the end of the day, the Reign were never meant to beat Coachella Valley.
Clash Between Fans:
Just like how fans from Ontario made the trip out to Coachella Valley for games one and two, Coachella Valley fans made the trip out west for this game.
They had a surprising showout, I would say about 20% of the fans inside Toyota Arena were Firebirds fans.
Either way, the arena was loud for both sides. Truly a big game feel. Consistent Firebirds chants drowned out by boos from Reign fans, it was an awesome vibe.
Tough Way To Go Out:
It is so important to stay humble in really any sport, because things can change that fast. The Reign were 5-0 coming into this series, only to get swept.
Marco Sturm talked about how game one was a game they needed to win, and after the loss it “hurt.” He elaborated by stating “I thought we outplayed them and we were better but they won the game.”
You can say much of the same for game three. As aforementioned, though, the Firebirds just find ways to win the close games, even more so than the Reign.
As for the prospects, Alex Turcotte looked really good on a line with Akil Thomas, potentially a pairing we can see in the NHL next season.
Andre Lee has an amazing playoff run to go along with his good play in the regular season. Health will be his biggest factor.
I thought Rob Blake described Brandt Clarke with the most perfect word you can use, “poised.” Time will only tell how good he can really be.
For everyone else, it is a big summer for them to work on their craft and potentially make some eyes pop during training camp.