Game week: Firebirds ready to start season Friday against rival Reign

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) -- The Coachella Valley Firebirds are officially in game week.

The Firebirds will open their fifth season as a franchise Friday night at Acrisure Arena against the Ontario Reign, renewing a familiar rivalry to begin the regular season.

The two teams met Sunday night in a preseason matchup at Acrisure Arena, with the Firebirds falling to the Reign in a shootout. The result, however, did not count toward the regular-season standings.

That changes Friday night.

The Firebirds will face Ontario three times during the opening stretch of the season, making for an early test against a familiar opponent.

“They're a very good hockey club. They're very well coached. They defend hard, and I think we play them three of the first games on the opening of the season,” Firebirds head coach Derek Laxdal said.

“It's going to be a big test for our group. And you know what, you want to go into the start of the season with an emotional game, and those first two games will be emotional in our building and in their building.”

Friday's game is part of a busy night of local sports, with Week 7 of the high school football season also taking place across the Coachella Valley.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the Coachella Valley Firebirds and all local sports.