The Abbotsford Canucks are California dreaming in Coachella.

After punching a ticket to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs, that dream continues with a battle with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

This marks the third consecutive year that the Canucks have seen the second round of the AHL playoffs, having been elminated in both season’s prior.

But this year, they got things started on the right foot.

Despite the Firebirds coming out strong, scoring a goal within the first two minutes, the Canucks got down to business midway through the first — all from first time AHL playoff scorers.

They went on to score three consecutive goals, in quick succession, and never looked back. In a relatively low-event game, Arturs Silovs stood firm en route to his third of four playoff wins.

Let’s dive right into the action.

Unfortunately, Christian Wolanin and Jonathan Lekkerimaki were still unavailable for Game One. As a result, the lineup remained the same as that of Game Three of the previous series.

Unlike some of the games we saw in series one, the Canucks wasted no time in getting a shot registered.

Right off the initial face-off, Jett Woo collected the zone before writing a far shot to ease themselves into the game.

But it was the Birds who made their first shot count.

Catching the Canucks on the brink of a line change, Ryan Jones sent through a successful stretch pass, sending three Firebirds forward up the ice strong.

With Ryan Winterton cocked and ready, Brandon Biro sent over the perfect pass for the one-timer.

Despite Silovs’ best efforts, he couldn’t get a glove on the shot.

Almost immediately after the goal, Danila Klimovich took an unnecessary slashing penalty behind the play, sending their penalty kill out on the ice for the first time of the series.

The Firebirds enjoyed that lead for a healthy eight-minute stretch. But the Canucks eventually struck, grabbing two goals in one minute to push ahead midway through the opening period.

First, Linus Karlsson provided the hard forecheck, forcing the turnover. Winning the puck back from behind the net, Karlsson found Jett Woo all alone in front.

Looking like a genuine goalscorer, Woo showcased some soft mitts, going backhand to beat Kokko for his first career AHL playoff goal.

Jett Woo, how do you do!?

In the very next shift, the Firebirds netminder collected the puck via the Canucks dump in.

Unaware of Ty Mueller’s presence, Kokko dropped the puck directly to the rookie forward. Working quickly, Mueller found Danila Klimovich alone in front to cash in for his first AHL playoff goal.

After giving up the early heartbreaker, the Canucks responded for two quick tallies, courtesy of a pair of first career goals from long-time Abbotsford skaters.

But the “firsts” kept on coming.

PDG rushed up the ice and made a nice move before sending a backhand pass toward the net. Crashing the net was Guillaume Brisebois – yes, Guillaume Brisebois –, who got the stick on the pass to redirect the puck past the netminder.

Thats three goals for the Abbotsford Canucks, with two of them coming from very unexpected participants.

The Firebirds took a late penalty, sending the away team to their first power play of the match.

They couldn’t find a fourth goal, but with three consecutive goals in the period, they were a-ok with that reality.

Despite allowing an early goal, the Canucks rebounded accordingly, battling back to take a two goal lead into the dressing room.

In the wake of a momentum-filled opening period, the first few minutes of the second provided few noteworthy conversation pieces.

That was until Arturs Silovs got bowled over, with Jacob Melanson driving the net hard.

The Firebirds initially figured they had scored, until the referee strongly indicated the goaltender interference call.

Coachella Valley wasn’t happy, but it was a pretty easy call for the referee. No?

That crash highlighted the period’s plays, as the second period felt rather uneven.

But the Canucks didn’t mind. With a two goal separation, the Canucks were happy to keep things low event, as long as they meant a lead.

The third period began with the Canucks having to kill their second penalty of the game.

It was there where the Firebirds picked up their best chance of the game (goal aside). With Silovs down, the puck went behind, bouncing toward the goal line.

Saving the day was the third goal scorer, Guillaume Brisebois, who swatted the puck to safety just in time.

Or Silovs? It’s still inconclusive who saved the day. The important thing is that the puck never crossed the goal line.

The play would require a secondary look, but a video review confirmed it was no goal.

This was a Guillaume Brisebois reclamation game, with him making a few significant defensive plays.

Oh, and scoring his first career playoff (AHL) goal.

Late in the third, he ran into a teammate at the blueline (bad), setting up a Coachella odd-man rush.

But he got right up and sprinted straight for the play. He was able to get his stick on the play to break up a potentially dangerous play.

No, there wasn’t much to report on, so Brisebois’ Defensive plays are what you’re getting here at the Farmies.

Despite letting in a goal within the initial two minutes, Arturs Silovs was locked in, stopping the next 29 shots faced for his third win in four playoff games.

It was a low-event game, especially regarding the Abbotsford Canucks. However, nursing a 3-1 lead, the Pride of the Fraser Valley are happy with a 1-0 series lead.

The series continues in Coachella with Game Two slated for Saturday, May 3rd. The puck drops at 6:00 pm PT at the Acrisure Arena.