Firebirds Expect Bears' Best In Game 3

HERSHEY, Pa. - The Coachella Valley Firebirds took care of business in a big way on home ice in Games 1 and 2 of the 2023 Calder Cup Finals, defeating the Hershey Bears by scores of 5-0 and 4-0 to take a 2-0 series lead as the series shifts to Hershey beginning with Tuesday night's Game 3 at Giant Center.

But as head coach Dan Bylsma and his Firebirds are well aware - especially after the Western Conference Finals round against Milwaukee where they saw their 2-0 series lead disappear after Game 3 and 4 losses on the road in that series - this series with the Bears is far from over.

"Well, it's a change in venue. It can't be a change of effort. It can't be a change of compete," Byslma said after the Firebirds' morning skate Tuesday, acknowledging the team's shortcomings when the series changed cities last round. "Hopefully, our guys have learned that lesson and, taking the change of venue, we're ready to put out our best tonight in Game 3."

Despite the lopsided shutout results in Games 1 and 2, Bylsma said the game's were much closer than the scoresheet would indicate.

"I think the score is not a true indication of how the first two games have played out," Bylsma said, adding his insights from what he saw in Games 1 and 2. "Hershey's a good team. They had some opportunities in each one of those games to get out in the lead and it didn't happen for them. But I think, you know, the recipe for winning hockey games - power play and penalty kill is a huge part of it. And for us, in Game 1 and in Game 2. We got a number of opportunities to go on the power play. And we cashed in on them, and got goals, and got the lead and kind of gave our team momentum."

For Bylsma, it's a return to Hershey, Pa for the first time since his days coaching the Bears' in-state rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins circa 2006-08 before leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to the 2009 Stanley Cup championship. He certainly remembers the tough Hershey teams he faced then, as well as the raucous crowds at Giant Center.

But despite competing against them for the league's title this season, Bylsma's final question at today's morning skate media availability allowed him to reminisce about his previous ventures in Hershey, and the Giant Center.

"It's a historical, great place to play hockey. And the Hershey Bears are historically... the best team. The building is an awesome place to play. [I've] had add a few playoff matches in here over the years - it's going to be a great atmosphere. It's a tough place to play. And Hershey, PA is a great American Hockey League city. It's a hallmark of the American Hockey League."

"My feelings about Hershey, and the Bears, aren't like warm and cuddly, don't get me wrong," Bylsma said half-jokingly.  "You're always going against a great team, you're always in a hard place to play and you're always going to be in a battle. But I don't think there's any better place to do it in the American Hockey League (AHL). To have an opposition like the Bears and in this place, and playing a game here in the Finals."