Trent Miner registered his fourth shutout of the postseason — and third in Game 1 — to lead Colorado to a 3-0 victory over Coachella Valley in the opener of their Pacific Division final series in Palm Desert on Wednesday night.
Down 1-0 in the best-of-five, the Firebirds will host Game 2 on Friday before the series ends in Colorado.
Ronnie Attard again TJ Hughes scored in the second half to give the Eagles all the offense they would need, and Miner (6-1) did the rest, making 10 of 20 saves in the third frame. Miner raised his postseason save percentage to .958 in seven starts, allowing seven goals on 168 shots.
Tye Felhaber added an empty-net goal for Colorado with 9.6 seconds left.
Nikke Kokko (5-4) made 29 saves against Coachella Valley.
(Colorado leads series, 1-0)
Game 1 – Wed., May 13 – Colorado 3, COACHELLA VALLEY 0
Game 2 – Friday, May 15 – Colorado at Coachella Valley, 10:00
Game 3 – Sun., May 17 – Coachella Valley at Colorado, 8:05
*Game 4 – Wed., May 20 – Coachella Valley at Colorado, 9:05
*Game 5 – Friday, May 22 – Coachella Valley at Colorado, 9:05
*if necessary… All times in Mpumalanga
