Nikke Kokko’s brick-wall performance and a third-period scoring blitz powered Coachella Valley to a dominant 4-0 victory, deadlocking the Pacific Division Finals as the series shifts to Colorado.
Game Two of the Pacific Division Finals between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Colorado Eagles took place Friday night at Acrisure Arena. In their first meeting, the Eagles were able to shutout the Firebirds in a 3-0 victory. Coachella Valley needed to come back strong in their final home game of the series.
The first two periods were scoreless. Shots on goal were fairly even; 21 for Colorado and 17 for Coachella Valley through the first 40. Five different players made their way to the box over the course of the second period, but neither team was able to capitalize on the power play opportunities.
1:20 into the third, JR Avon put the Firebirds on the board. Just over a minute later, Eduard Šalé added his own tally. With the Firebirds up two, the Eagles redoubled their efforts to bring the game back, outshooting Coachella Valley 12-8 in the final twenty. Firebirds’ goaltender Nikke Kokko stopped everything Colorado threw at him.
At 16:05, JR Avon scored his second goal of the night and at 18:15 Oscar Fisker Mølgaard put a bow on the much-needed victory with an empt net goal. The final score 4-0, Firebirds.
The teams now make their wa to Colorado where they will play the final three games in the best-of-five series. They meet again on Sunday, May 17th.