^ Posted by Patrick Williams
Palm Desert, California. … The Firebirds needed more after three straight losses in Hershey last week.
They got it, and now they’re going to play one last Calder Cup game.
“I don’t think the hockey in Hershey was the best hockey we’ve had,” a head coach said Dan Bielsma He conceded after his club won 5-2 at home in Game 6 last night.
“I don’t think he was the best player in hockey, and we needed everyone to step up big. You see John Hayden Step up. do you see Ugly bird Step up. do you see [Cameron Hughes] Step up. We got a great effort from a lot of the guys, and that was the difference.”
Stepping up is something the Firebirds have done during a playoff run that will see them play 26 of a possible 27 games over five innings. They’re 5-0 in elimination matches, and outsprint opponents 25-11 in those contests. Home ice success was another key for the Firebirds, who have won seven straight playoff dates at Acrisure Arena and are 12-3 at home overall.
“The Birds, we just want to play hockey as much as we can,” Bielsma joked. But delving into a series is something he stressed is for the benefit of his team. He said several times that the Firebirds planned to play “420 minutes” this series and that a longer series would favor his club.
With Game 7, they have a chance to win the Calder Cup in their first season of play.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to get the job done,” Bielsma said.
It was exactly the start the Bears wanted.
Seven shots on goal in the first 1:59 of the game. a Conor McMichael net-drive goal to open the scoring and finally storm the scoreboard at Acrisure Arena. Firebirds flocking. The capacity crowd soon grows quiet after tumultuous pre-game introductions.
But the next 48:23 was the Bears coach’s problem Todd Nelson. Hershey managed just eight shots in that period as the Firebirds took control of the game, taking a 5-2 lead and forcing the Finals into a seventh and deciding game.
Momentum began to swing with Coachella Valley’s first power play chance midway through the first period. The Firebirds only needed 17 seconds to score, and Acrisure Arena was a life. Less than seven minutes later, the score was 3-1.
“They seem to be recording in groups,” said Nelson. “Our men must understand…the target is in, and straight back into action.”
Nelson also pulled the starters Hunter Shepard After Coachella Valley’s fifth goal. In Games 1 and 2 when the Bears evaded scores, Nelson elected to keep Shepherd in the net. this time, Zack Focale He took in relief for the second time this postseason.
“He’s had enough,” Nelson said of the decision. “Make him rest.”
Patrick Williams has been in the American Hockey League for nearly two decades for outlets including NHL.com, Sportsnet, TSN, The Hockey News, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, and SLAM! Sports, and she is currently the co-host of Hockey news on the “A” podcast. He was awarded the James H. Ellery Memorial Award from the AHL for his excellent coverage of the league in 2016.