AHL Playoffs: Firebirds @ Calgary Game 2 PREVIEW/GAMETHREAD

Need to Knows

• The Time: 3pm PT
• The Place: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
• What Happened Last Game?: The Firebirds held tight, but then late began to give up some pretty gnarly goals and lost 4-1.
• Place to Watch: AHLtv.com, locally on KESQ News Channel 3
• Place to Listen: KDGL 106.9 The Eagle. It’s a very local broadcast, so show up early

Know Your Enemy:

Last game was defined by Dustin Wolf, and Adam Klapka. Wolf played like a man possessed in net during Game 1, but it was Klapka that made the difference; getting 2 points in the opening game with some really impressive looks.

Game Preview

Bad news. The Firebirds are down 1-0 in the series and still have to play the Wranglers in Calgary. It’s also an afternoon game.

Good news. The Firebirds are, presumably, no longer rusty…and while they did lose last game, they absolutely pounded the Wranglers in terms of shot volume and a ton of quality shots. If they keep this up, they will absolutely beat them in theory.

They just have to turn theory into practice. Which is of course, the hard part.

If there’s a key to Game 2, it’s unquestionably defensive adjustment; Calgary tore into Coachella’s defense by trying to stretch them out with long passes and with lots of puck movement; forcing Chris Driedger to do hero work without much help. Today’s game? Better knock that off and bail your goalie out once or twice, and you’ll be golden. Also, the Baby Squids had a ton of great chances in front of the net in Game 1 and didn’t capitalize, so perhaps it’s time to turn some of those great chances into great goals.

Should be a fun one! Let’s go Firebirds! Even this thing up and go home ready to tear them to pieces!