Seattle Kraken AHL Affiliate Opens Pacific Finals At Home Wednesday
By the time the Coachella Valley Firebirds open their Pacific Division Final series Wednesday against Ontario, the high temperature for Palm Desert, CA is expected to reach 101 degrees.
That's not the only reason fans flock to the ice surface at Acrisure Arena, home of the Seattle Kraken's AHL farm club.
On Friday, fans gleefully watched the Firebirds punch their ticket to the 3rd round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, dispatching the Calgary Wranglers three games to one.
We have the celebratory photos to prove it.
After Shane Wright (above photo, and here at far right) scored to give Coachella Valley a 2-0 lead, the celebration was on.
As I said, the celebration was on.
Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger made all the pucks go away, authoring a 31-save shutout.
Coachella Valley won Game 4 3-0, sending the Wranglers home from the playoffs for the second straight season.
Firebirds coach - and maybe the next coach of the Seattle Kraken? - Dan Bylsma, far left, shares the traditional fist-to-blocker bump with his goaltender.
It's not goodbye, but just so long until Game 1 Wednesday when the Firebirds host the Ontario Reign. (Everyone knows it doesn't Reign much in the desert.)
See how smart Driedger is? The souvenir stick he gives away ISN'T one of his goalie sticks. It's too bad his fine play means another NHL franchise will likely sign him away from the Kraken organization at season's end.