Reign, Reign Go Away: Firebirds Complete Sweep With 3-2 Comeback

Editor's Note: For an explanation of why Seattle Kraken 2022 1st round draft choice Shane Wright was missing from Game 3, click here.

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Winning six games in a row is impressive; winning six playoff games in a row is seriously impressive.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds reached that mark via a 3-2 comeback victory over the Reign in Ontario Sunday. The Firebirds swept all three games in the best-of-five "I-10" Pacific Final series between clubs 80 miles apart.

In the process, the Seattle Kraken farm club advanced to the AHL Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive season. Coachella Valley will face the winner of the Northern Finals between Milwaukee and Grand Rapids. If the Admirals advance, it would set up a rematch from last year's Conference Finals, won by the Firebirds 4-2.

Early on, the Reign provided a dose of the 1st period dominance which propelled the Firebirds to a Game 2 win. On the second of two Ontario goals, Coachella netminder Chris Driedger was sure he'd been interfered with. The officials didn't agree.

The Firebirds comeback from a two goal deficit began at 5:41 of the middle stanza, on the first of two goals by Kole Lind. It sent the sizeable continent of 'Birds fans who made the drive along the Interstate to Toyota Center into a frenzy (above photo).

Six minutes later, Jimmy Schuldt tied the game for the Firebirds 2-2.

Coachella Valley took its first lead 3-2 just 46 seconds into the 3rd period, Lind with his second of the night and third of the postseason.

Driedger preserved the lead with a fabulous glove save on Andre Lee with five minutes left. He finished with 22 saves.

Just to make things interesting, Coachella's Ryker Evans took a holding the stick penalty with 2:11 to go. The Reign pulled goalie Erik Portillo for a 6-on-4 advantage.

A bunch of chaos and blocked shots later, the Firebirds had won their second series of this year's Calder Cup playoffs, and sixth over the two years of the franchise's existence. Coachella Valley captured the Pacific Division title for both the regular season and playoffs.