Firebirds earn a point in 6-5 overtime loss on opening night

The Coachella Valley Firebirds opened their fifth season with a point on Friday night, falling to the Ontario Reign, 6-5, in overtime in front of a crowd of 7,670 at Acrisure Arena.

Jani Nyman scored twice and added an assist, while Eduard Sale, John Hayden, and J.R. Avon also found the back of the net for Coachella Valley. Jagger Firkus recorded two assists, and Nikke Kokko made 19 saves in the season opener.

Ontario opened the scoring at 5:10 of the first period on a tough bounce off the stanchion resulting in a goal from Martin Chromiak, but Coachella Valley responded just 22 seconds later. Avon buried his first of the season off assists from Oscar Fisker Mølgaard and Firkus to even the game at one.

Sale gave the Firebirds their first lead of the night at 11:29, finishing a setup from Nyman and Ty Nelson. Captain John Hayden extended the advantage to 3-1 at 17:34, converting on the powerplay with Firkus picking up his second assist of the period.

Ontario's Taylor Ward cut the deficit to one 1:10 into the second period before Nyman answered just 38 seconds later. Sale and Caden Price assisted on Nyman's first goal of the season to make it 4-2.

The Reign received a two-man advantage early in the second period after penalties to Fisker Mølgaard and Nelson. Lane Pederson capitalized on the 5-on-3 at 4:58 to bring the Reign back within one.

Nyman struck again at 13:00, scoring his second of the night on the powerplay. Tyson Jugnauth and Hayden collected the assists as the Firebirds restored their two-goal advantage at 5-3.

Ontario pulled within one on Francesco Pinelli's goal with 35 seconds remaining in the second period.

Coachella Valley carried its 5-4 advantage deep into the third, but Ontario tied the game at 15:16 when Ward scored his second of the night on the powerplay. Neither team broke the tie over the remainder of regulation, sending the season opener to overtime.

Jared Wright ended the game 39 seconds into the extra frame, scoring off assists from Kenny Connors and Angus Booth to give the Reign a 6-5 victory.

The Firebirds outshot the Reign, 30-25, and finished 2-for-4 on the powerplay. Ontario went 2-for-7 with the man advantage. Coachella Valley earned one point in the standings with the overtime result.