Firebirds defeat Hershey Bears 4-3 in Game 1 of Calder Cup Finals
The Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the Hershey Bears 4-3 in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals.
Down 1-0 early in the first period, the Firebirds answered with two goals of their own from forwards John Hayden and Ryan Winterton.
TIED GAME 1-1 pic.twitter.com/1Ov5FG0fZD
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 14, 2024
Birds take the lead 2-1 🔥 5:37 left in the 1st period pic.twitter.com/ONDBAXH9L8
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 14, 2024
It was a mirror-mirror performance in the second period for CV as Ryan Winterton and John Hayden tallied their second goals of the game.
firebirds up 3-1 pic.twitter.com/pERhTrgFIU
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 15, 2024
https://t.co/Oo0txZEFEB pic.twitter.com/fhhBuNLPdG
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 15, 2024
Game 2 of the series is Sunday, June 16th in Hershey. Puck drop is 2:00 p.m. PT.
John Hayden has been a beast all postseason for the Firebirds (2 goals tonight). Dan Bylsma mentioned his name a number of times in post game presser, crediting Hayden for the Game 1 win against the Bears in Hershey. @KESQ @JaredL_Phillips @abc27News @KenjiitoKESQ @pwilliamsAHL pic.twitter.com/SMdWDOj4mJ
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) June 15, 2024
Original post
The Hershey Bears host the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals tonight at Giant Center in Hershey, PA.
You can watch Game 1 LIVE tonight on Fox 11 Palm Springs. Coverage starts at 3:30 p.m. PT with the pre-game show.
All but one game in the series will be broadcast live on the KESQ family of stations.
SERIES SCHEDULE
- Game 1 – Fri., June 14 – Coachella Valley at Hershey, 4 p.m. - FOX 11
- Game 2 – Sun., June 16 – Coachella Valley at Hershey, 2 p.m.
- Game 3 – Tue., June 18 – Hershey at Coachella Valley, 7 p.m. - FOX 11
- Game 4 – Thu., June 20 – Hershey at Coachella Valley, 7 p.m. - CW 5
- *Game 5 – Sat., June 22 – Hershey at Coachella Valley, 6 p.m. - ABC News Channel 3
- *Game 6 – Mon., June 24 – Coachella Valley at Hershey, 4 p.m. - FOX 11
- *Game 7 – Wed., June 26 – Coachella Valley at Hershey, 4 p.m - FOX 11
*Games 5, 6, 7 are only if necessary
This year's finals matchup is the first rematch in the Calder Cup Finals in 33 years.
Calder Cup Finals facts & figures
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) June 13, 2024
🦅🐻🏆
- First finals rematch in 33 years
- Bears seeking record 13th title (originated in 1930s)
- Firebirds seeking 1st title (2nd year as franchise)
- Bears had 111 pts in regular season (1st in AHL), Firebirds had 103 pts (2nd in AHL) pic.twitter.com/ca97mk54aR
The Firebirds are looking to avenge their loss to the Bears in the 2023 Calder Cup Finals. That series ended in a dramatic Game 7 overtime game at Acrisure Arena.
News Channel 3's Sports Reporter Kenji Ito spoke with fans ahead of the start of the series, many excited for the puck to drop for Game 1.
With the @Firebirds making their 2nd Calder Cup Finals appearance, it's @APots94 4th Calder Cup Finals appearance in a row. Today, I got to catch up with the veteran forward. @KESQ @BlakeArthur24 pic.twitter.com/lKS9B40gV9
— Kenji Ito (@KenjiitoKESQ) June 14, 2024
The Firebirds are not only looking to avenge last year's Calder Cup Finals loss, but they're also looking to send out Head Coach Dan Bylsma out with a championship. Bylsma is set to leave the team at the end of the series to coach the Firebirds' NHL affiliate, the Seattle Kraken.
Stay with News Channel 3 for full coverage of the Calder Cup Finals.
