4/10 REIGN FINAL – Reign 1, Firebirds 3 – Sturm, Madden

The Coachella Valley Firebirds (44-14-5-4) used a three-goal second period to skate past the Ontario Reign (38-22-3-4) Wednesday night at Acrisure Arena by a final score of 3-1.

While playing in his 200th career game, Tyler Madden scored the lone goal of the evening for Ontario in a losing effort, also recording his 100th career point with his 15th tally of the year. Aaron Dell stopped 30 shots in goal for the Reign in a losing effort.

BOX SCORE

The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for Ontario and clinched Coachella Valley first place in the Pacific Division for the 2023-24 regular season and the No. 1 seed in the division’s upcoming Calder Cup Playoffs. The Reign and Firebirds completed their eight-game season series with each team claiming four wins against the other.

Ontario still owns a share of second place in the Pacific Division alongside the Tucson Roadrunners, each with 83 points.

While neither team was able to score in the opening period, it was a penalty-filled frame with the teams combining for 40 minutes in infractions. The Reign had two power play opportunities early on, while Coachella Valley had one and the Firebirds held a 13-9 shots on goal advantage.

But things changed in the middle frame, with the home team breaking through to take control of the game. Three goals in a span of just eight minutes put Coachella Valley in front, giving them enough offense for the remainder of the night.

Max McCormick scored the opening goal on the power play at 4:09, before Devin Shore made it a two-goal game at 10:50 and John Hayden converted a penalty shot at 12:14 to cap off the scoring for the Firebirds.

Ontario had one more look on the power play late in the second, but were unable to take advantage.

Madden’s goal came at 9:19 of the third off a faceoff win by Alex Turcotte in the offensive zone. The puck went from Joe Hicketts to Brandt Clarke on the point, who found Madden down low for a shot that went up high into the top shelf of the net.

The Reign outshot Coachella Valley 14-9 in the third but were unable to get any closer on the scoreboard and suffered just their fourth loss in the last 19 contests.

The Firebirds went 1-for-3 on the man-advantage and held Ontario to a 0-for-3 mark. Chris Driedger picked up the win in net for Coachella Valley, making 29 saves in the victory.

Postgame thoughts from Reign head coach Marco Sturm and Madden are below.

Marco Sturm

Tyler Madden

The Reign return home Friday night to complete their regular season home schedule with a matchup against the San Diego Gulls on Fan Appreciation Night at Toyota Arena at 7 p.m.