The Coachella Valley Firebirds scored three goals in the opening 14 minutes, 21 seconds in a 5-3 victory over the Ontario Reign Friday evening at Acrisure Arena to take a two games to none lead in the Calder Cup’s Pacific Division Finals.
Game 3 of the best-of-five series will be played Sunday in Ontario.
Defenseman Cole Fleury scored twice and Shane Wright had a goal and two assists for the Firebirds in front of a crowd announced at 8,682.
The Firebirds scored on the game’s first shot when John Hayden put a slap shot from the right faceoff circle past Erik Portillo for his second goal of the playoffs.
The Firebirds increased their lead to 2-0 when Fleury also scored on a shot from the right faceoff circle at 11:15 into the first period off assists by Wright and Cameron Hughes.
Jani Nyman scored a power-play goal from directly in front of Portillo at 14:21 of the first period off assists by Devin Shore and Wright, one second before Charles Hudon’s roughing penalty was to expire.
Reign defenseman Kevin Connauton scored an unassisted goal 5:37 into the second period but the Firebirds regained a three-goal lead when Wright scored in front of Portillo 5:13 later.
Ontario cut the deficit to 4-2 on Hayden Hodgson’s power-play goal 3:00 into the third period.
Fleury scored on a slapshot from the right point with 11:44 left in the third period, one second after Hodgson’s five-minute major for interference expired. Hodgson also received a game misconduct for the play.
TJ Tynan scored a power-play goal with 9:32 remaining for the Reign, the Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate.
Ontario led in shots, 35-28, including an 18-8 advantage in the third period.
Firebirds goaltender Chris Driedger made 32 saves. Portillo made 23.
The Firebirds, the Seattle Reign’s AHL affiliate, scored on one of seven power-play opportunities, the Reign two of five.