Jani Nyman scored three goals as the Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the Ontario Reign 6–2 at Toyota Arena on Oct. 3. Tyson Jugnauth added four assists, setting the Firebirds’ regular-season franchise record for a single game. The result spoiled Ontario’s home opener.
How the game unfolded
Nyman scored twice on the power play in the first period, but Koehn Ziemmer and Jared Wright each answered for Ontario. Jagger Firkus then scored both second-period goals to move the Firebirds ahead 4–2. Coachella Valley added two empty-net goals in the third, including the goal that completed Nyman’s hat trick.
The Firebirds converted three of four power plays while Ontario went scoreless on four chances. Victor Ostman made 28 saves for Coachella Valley. The teams were nearly even in shots, with the Firebirds holding a 31–30 advantage.
CSB Take
Special teams explain more about this game than the small difference in shots. Coachella Valley made its power-play chances count and protected the lead it created in the second period. Ontario’s review should start with those penalty-killing possessions and the chances its own power play left unused.
