Haden's 2 Goals, Driedger's 37 Saves Lead 2-1 WCF Win Over Milwaukee
Following what he described as a "whirlwind" Seattle visit to be introduced as the new Kraken coach, Dan Bylsma returned to Palm Desert, CA for Wednesday's opener of the AHL Western Conference Finals.
In a rematch from last year's playoffs, the Coachella Valley Firebirds edged the Milwaukee Admirals in Game 1, 2-1.
John Hayden (15), scoring the first of his two goals in Coachella Valley's 2-1 win over Milwaukee.In contrast to the triple-digit temperatures outside Acrisure Arena, both offenses ran cold - unless your name was John Hayden.
Hayden, who will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, broke a 1-1 tie at 8:49 of the 3rd period, his second goal of the game.
Goalie Chris Drieger, in net for all eight Coachella playoff games, won his seventh in a row with 37 saves. Emblematic of the night's scoring issues, the Firebirds finished 1-6 on the power play, the Admirals 0-5.
1st Period
Haden broke the ice for the Firebirds on the power play late in the 1st period.
2nd Period
Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger, making one of his 37 saves against Milwaukee.Coachella Valley maintained its 1-0 lead through a scoreless 2nd period. The ice was tilted against them for the first 16 minutes, when Milwaukee dominated SOG, 12-2.
Although failing to score on a late 2nd period power play, Coachella used the man advantage to swing momentum. Over the final 3:46, the Firebirds outshot the Admirals 8-0.
3rd Period
Despite killing consecutive penalties, Coachella lost the lead at 5:20. Zach L’Heureux's 9th goal of the playoffs tied the score for Milwaukee, 1-1.
L’Heureux's wouldn't get to see the end of the contest, given a game misconduct for "abuse of an official" when whistled for a tripping penalty at 13:37.
By that time, Hayden's second goal had lifted the Firebirds to a 2-1 lead. Watch closely to see Devin Shore not only shimmy past two defenders and feed Hayden in front of the net, but also leap over the fallen goal-scorer like he was barrel jumping.
Milwaukee spent most of the final four minutes with a man advantage. First, the Firebirds had to kill a Ryker Evans hooking penalty. Then they had to stand tall in front of Driedger when the Admirals pulled their goalie in favor of a sixth attacker.
As they have done repeatedly this postseason, Coachella Valley obtained a 3rd period lead and retained it until the final horn.