Abbotsford drew first blood in its Pacific Division semifinal series on Thursday night, scoring three quick goals in the first period and defeating Coachella Valley, 3-1, at Acrisure Arena.
Game 2 of the best-of-five series is set for Saturday evening in Palm Desert.
Ryan Winterton scored just 1:36 in to give the host Firebirds a 1-0 lead, but the Canucks scored three times in a span of 7:19 to take control of the game.
Jett Woo tied the score at 1-1 at the 9:26 mark, and Danila Klimovich gave Abbotsford the lead for good at 10:31. Guillaume Brisebois made it 3-1 with 3:15 to go in the period.
After allowing a goal on the first shot he faced, Artūrs Šilovs (3-1) stopped them all the rest of the way, finishing the night with 29 saves.
Nikke Kokko (2-1) turned aside 25 shots for Coachella Valley.
Photo: Mike Zitek
(Abbotsford leads series, 1-0)
Game 1 – Thu., May 1 – Abbotsford 3, COACHELLA VALLEY 1
Game 2 – Sat., May 3 – Abbotsford at Coachella Valley, 9:00
Game 3 – Wed., May 7 – Coachella Valley at Abbotsford, 10:00
*Game 4 – Fri., May 9 – Coachella Valley at Abbotsford, 10:00
*Game 5 – Sun., May 11 – Coachella Valley at Abbotsford, 10:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
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