Calder Cup Playoffs: Firebirds take Game 1 against the Reign in Ontario

ONTARIO, Calif. (KESQ) - The Coachella Valley Firebirds traveled on the road and took Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs.

The Firebirds beat the No. 1-seeded Ontario Reign 3-0 at the Toyota Arena Wednesday night.

It was a slow game to start when it came to burying shots for either team. The first period went scoreless, despite the Firebirds and Reign's best attempts. Coachella Valley barely outshot Ontario at 13-12.

Throughout the game, tensions seemed high on the ice. Both teams fighting for their spot in the Pacific Division Final, wanting to set the tone for the rest of the series.

The Firebirds took more control in the second period, so much so they scored the first goal of the game at 4:44 with J.R. Avon on a power play for 1-0. Coachella Valley continued to outshoot Ontario 9-5 and hold them from reaching the net.

POWER PLAY GOOOAAALLLL pic.twitter.com/20mbGcb5Bh

— x - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) April 30, 2026

In the third period, Oscar Fisker Mølgaard came in to extend the Firebirds' lead, taking them up 2-0 at 5:07. Fisker Mølgaard has continued to be a game-changer for Coachella Valley in the Calder Cup Playoffs, especially as they closed out the round one series against the Bakersfield Condors.

OSCAR FISKER MOLGAARD EVERYBODY!!

BIRDS LEAD 2-0 pic.twitter.com/vQbSkR4ZKS

— x - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) April 30, 2026

Avon finished off the game with his second goal of the night.

make that 2 goals for Avon 😎😎

3-0 birdssss pic.twitter.com/snwGU08T63

— x - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) April 30, 2026

Nikke Kokko made 23 saves for the shutout

Game 2 will be played on Friday in Ontario. It's a best-of-five series; the first team to win three games will advance.

The Firebirds are set to return to the Coachella Valley on Tuesday for Game 3.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.

During the regular season, Ontario was 5-1-2 against Coachella Valley. The Reign also set a franchise record for home wins this season with a 26-6-2-2 record at Toyota Arena.

This series marks just the second time that the two teams have met during postseason play. Coachella Valley swept Ontario 3-0 in the Pacific Division Finals during the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs.