Sweet! Coachella Valley Defeats Hershey 4-3 In AHL Final Game 1

In the eternal playoff debate about whether rest or momentum is most preferable during a deep postseason run, chalk one up for the Coachella Valley Firebirds and "rest."

The Firebirds used fresher legs to outpace the Hershey Bears 4-3 in the opening game of the Calder Cup Final Friday at Giant Center.

The only thing hotter than today's 113-degree high temperature in Palm Desert is CV forward John Hayden (above photo, originally a 3rd round pick on the Blackhawks in 2013).

Coming off a hat trick against the Milwaukee Admirals, Hayden scored twice more to lead the Firebirds' attack. Ryan Winterton also scored twice.

Chris Driedger made 16 saves to run his playoff record to 11-2. Impressively, the Firebirds allowed the Bears just nine combined shots in the final 40 minutes.

Waiting Game

Coachella Valley had arrived in Hershey, PA on Sunday, anticipating a Final rematch with the Bears. However, Hershey had to sweat out a 7th-game overtime Wednesday before finally eliminating the Cleveland Monsters.

So despite practicing and scouting Games 6 and 7 of the Bears-Monsters series, the Firebirds hadn't faced actual competition since Saturday's Western Conference clincher in Milwaukee.

1st Period

Early on, it appeared rust might be an issue. An unlucky bounce off defenseman Ryker Evans, 2021 2nd round draft choice who played 36 games with the Kraken this season, gave the home team a 1-0 lead at 1:15.

The hole appeared to grow deeper when Kole Lind was called for slashing at 6:21. But 13 seconds later, Hayden skated in on a shorthanded breakaway with speed to tie the game 1-1.

Ryan Winterton, 2021 3rd round Kraken draft pick, put the visitors ahead for good with his 2nd of the playoffs at 13:52. The pretty feed came from teammate - and roommate - Logan Morrison off the rush.

2nd Period

Like the 1st period, the Firebirds would again outscore the Bears 2-1 in the 2nd frame. Winterton, who had a nine-game apprenticeship with the Kraken, potted his 2nd of the game on the backhand at 9:49. The puck appeared to hit both the left and then right post on its way over the goal line.

After Hardy Häman Aktell closed the gap to 3-2, Hayden scored his 2nd of the night, 9th of the postseason. The goal at 15:11, which appeared to surprise Hershey netminder Hunter Shepard, would eventually prove to be the game-winner.

3rd Period

The penalty box doors might need some WD-40 as often as they swung open and shut in the 3rd period.

Evans took his 2nd minor of the game at 1:17, and Jacob Melanson went off at 4:18. At this point in the contest, the Firebirds had been called for all four penalties - and Coachella defenders killed all four.

Amazingly, Hershey would take the next four minors between 7:37 and 14:16. The CV power play, which had been operating at 20% efficiency in the postseason, failed on each occasion to increase its lead.

On one of those power plays, only the post came between Hayden and his second consecutive playoff hat trick.

Then it was the Firebirds' turn to once again beat a path to the penalty box. With Melanson off for hooking at 16:33, Winterton without a stick which had broken, and a sixth attacker on for Hershey, the Bears took advantage.

Hendrix Lapierre, on what essentially was a 6-on-3, narrowed the deficit to 4-3 with 1:56 left. Despite Bears goalie Shepard once again leaving in favor of a sixth skater, Coachella Valley hung on for the Game 1 victory.