Chase Bradley recorded two goals and an assist as Colorado beat Coachella Valley, 4-1, to take a 2-1 lead in the Pacific Division final Sunday night at Blue Arena.
The Eagles will look to wrap up their five-game winning streak with another win in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Colorado swarmed the Firebirds all night, looking ahead and making adjustments that led to all four goals.
First, Tye Felhaber forced a change in the Eagles’ offensive line as well Ivan Ivan he soon found Bradley alone in front to be redirected over the glove Nikke Kokko. That tied the game at 1-1 with 11:17 left in the second half.
Laini scored again 33 seconds into the third period as they made another turnover behind the Firebirds’ net and rode the puck down the floor before Ivan found Bradley, who fired it back to Kokko for a 2-1 Colorado lead.
At 4:28, Alex Barré-Boulet He was pressured and dropped an attempt to remove it from the half wall. He fed Gavin Brindley alone up front, and Brindley fired home to make it 3-1.
Less than three minutes later, as the Firebirds’ power play expired, Bradley stole the puck from the Eagles’ blue line and passed it to Brindley as he exited the penalty box. Brindley sent it to TJ Hugheswho scored his second goal of the series and third of the postseason.
Trent Miner (7-2) finished with 24 saves for Colorado, allowing only a Lleyton Road goal 14:46 into the game.
Kokko (6-5) stopped 32 shots at Coachella Valley.
(Colorado leads series, 2-1)
Game 1 – Wed., May 13 – Colorado 3, COACHELLA VALLEY 0
Game 2 – Friday, May 15 – COACHELLA VALLEY 4, Colorado 0
Game 3 – Sun., May 17 – COLORADO 4, Coachella Valley 1
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
