Photo: Brandon Magpantay
For the third time this postseason, the Coachella Valley Firebirds survived the playoffs.
Nikke Kokko stopped 26 shots as the Firebirds defeated the Ontario Reign, 6-2, in Game 4 of the Pacific Division semifinals on Thursday, setting up a Game 5 contest Saturday evening in Ontario.
Coachella Valley, which defeated Bakersfield twice in the first round of a best-of-three series after losing in Game 1, is now 8-3 in its four-year history against Calder Cup Playoff eliminations.
JR Avon scored his fourth goal of the postseason and a rookie defenseman Kaden Hammell got a goal and an assist for the Firebirds.
Jagger Firkus again Oscar Fisker Mølgaard scored empty-net goals 17 seconds apart to put the game out of reach after Reign went back up 4-2.
(Series tied, 2-2)
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 29 – Coachella Valley 3, ONTARIO 0
Game 2 – Friday, May 1 – ONTARIO 5, Coachella Valley 1
Game 3 – Tue., May 5 – Ontario 2, COACHELLA VALLEY 1
Game 4 – Thursday, May 7 – COACHELLA VALLEY 6, Ontario 2
Game 5 – Sat., May 9 – Coachella Valley at Ontario, 9:00
*if necessary… All times in Mpumalanga
