The Kraken’s American Hockey League affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds finally saw their playoff win streak snapped on Thursday night in Milwaukee with a 7-2 loss to the Admirals in Game-4 of the Calder Cup western conference final.
The Firebirds had won nine consecutive playoff matches and were looking for a four game sweep in their latest series. Instead, the host Admirals busted open a 2-2 tie midway through the game and went on to score five unanswered goals.
It’s the Firebirds first loss this postseason since the opening game of the opening series against the Calgary Wranglers.
Connor Carrick and Logan Morrison mustered goals for Coachella Valley, while former Kraken goalie Chris Driedger made 23 saves.
The game crescendoed in terms of feisty behavior, almost getting out of hand in the 3rd period. After no infractions in the 1st, just eight minutes in penalties in the 2nd, the final 2o minutes saw a fight, nine misconducts and 114 total PIM.
The Kraken farm club has a 3-1 advantage in the series and will try again to wrap things up on Saturday in Milwaukee.
The winner of this series will face the winner of the eastern conference final between the defending champion Hershey Bears and the Cleveland Monsters. The Bears lead the series 3-1 after the Monsters staved off elimination with a 3-2 win earlier on Thursday.
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