Firebirds Advance to Third Round After Double-OT Thriller as COD Golf Eyes State Title

After facing two elimination games in the last three days, the Firebirds punched their ticket to the third round of the Calder Cup Playoffs with a thrilling 3-2 double overtime victory over the Ontario Reign Friday night.

Fans packed the arena despite the more than hour-long drive, creating an electric playoff atmosphere from puck drop to the final goal nearly 100 minutes later.

Coachella Valley struck first late in the opening period when Jani Nyman crashed the net and buried his third goal of the postseason to give the Firebirds a 1-0 lead. But Ontario answered early in the second period, and from there the game turned into a defensive battle.

The Firebirds regained the lead later in the game, but with less than six minutes remaining, the Reign tied things up to force overtime.

After a scoreless first overtime period filled with scoring chances and clutch saves, it was JR Avon who delivered the game-winner in the second overtime, finding himself on a breakaway and scoring the biggest goal of the season so far.

Following the win, Firebirds head coach Derek Laxdal praised his team’s resilience in a pressure-packed environment.

“It’s a pressure-packed situation. You don’t want to make a mistake,” Laxdal said. “There were some great saves and great chances both ways. Kokko stood strong for us, and our guys battled through it. This is a tough building to win in.”

Forward Oscar Fisker-Molgaard said the team’s chemistry has helped fuel the playoff run.

“We’re a tight group,” Fisker-Molgaard said. “A lot of young guys this year, and we’ve been through ups and downs throughout the season. I think we’ve all come together here at the end and we’re just playing fun hockey and playing for each other.”

Now the Firebirds turn their attention to the Colorado Eagles in the next round of the playoffs. The series begins Wednesday at Acrisure Arena with Game 2 set for Friday before shifting to Colorado for the remainder of the series.

Meanwhile, College of the Desert men’s golf is chasing history of its own.

The Roadrunners are aiming to win their first state championship since 2012, and they got off to a strong start in the opening round of the state tournament by shooting an even-par 288 to take the early lead.

Head coach Tanner Bown said preparation and discipline will be key if COD hopes to finish on top.

“It’s about preparation and trusting that preparation,” Bown said. “The guys don’t have to do anything heroic. Smart, disciplined golf is what wins championships.”

It’s shaping up to be an exciting stretch for Coachella Valley sports, with both the Firebirds and Roadrunners continuing their postseason pushes.