Chase Bradley Colorado had two goals and an assist to take a 2-1 series lead in a 4-1 win over Coachella Valley in the Pacific Division final Sunday night at the Blue Arena.
The Eagles hope to win again in Wednesday’s Game 4 to end a best-of-five series.
Colorado surrounded the Firebirds all night long, anticipating and forcing turnovers that led to each of their four goals.
First, Tye Fairhaber Force turnovers in the Eagles’ offensive zone Ivan Ivan It soon became apparent that Bradley was alone in front and needed to redirect via the glove. Riko Koko. With 11 minutes and 17 seconds left in the second quarter, the two sides were tied at 1-1.
They forced another turnover in the back of the Firebirds’ net 33 seconds into the third period and got the puck down low before Ivan found Bradley, who again fired the puck past Koko to give Colorado a 2-1 lead.
4:28, Alex Barre-Bright Pressed and knocked down a half-wall cleanup attempt. He fed Gavin Brindley Brindley’s backhand shot made the score 3-1.
Less than three minutes later, the Firebirds’ power play was coming to an end when Bradley stole the ball at the Eagles’ blue line and passed it to Brindley as he stepped out of the zone. Brindley sent it to TJ Hugheshe scored his second goal of the series and his third goal of the playoffs.
Trent Miner (7-2) Colorado finished with 24 saves, allowing just Leighton Roeder The game entered 14:46 and there were insufficient goals.
Kokko (6-5) stopped 32 shots for Coachella Valley.
(Colorado leads the series, 2-1)
Game 1 – Wednesday, May 13 – Colorado State 3, Coachella Valley 0
Game 2 – Friday, May 15 – COACHELLA VALLEY 4, Colorado 0
Game 3 – Sunday, May 17 – Colorado State 4, Coachella Valley 1
Game 4 – Wednesday, May 20 – Coachella Valley, CO, 9:05
*Game 5 – Friday, May 22 – Coachella Valley, CO, 9:05
*If necessary…all times Eastern
