J.R. Avon scored 1:47 into the second overtime period to give the Coachella Valley Firebirds a 3-2 victory over the Ontario Reign in game five of their Pacific Division semifinal series on Saturday evening at Toyota Arena.
The win eliminated the Reign and advanced the Firebirds to a best-of-five series against Colorado that begins Wednesday night. Avon received a stretch pass from defenseman Tyson Jugnauth, skated in alone and beat goaltender Erik Portillo with a backhand shot. It marked his fourth goal of the series and fifth in eight playoff games this postseason.