Firebirds gain point in shootout loss on Teddy Bear Toss Night

Photo Credit: Mike Zitek/Coachella Valley Firebirds -- There was a sold-out crowd of 10,087 at Acrisure Arena on Saturday night. Fans impatiently waited to throw their teddy bears onto the ice once the Firebirds scored the first goal.

Unlike the first two seasons, it happened rather quickly. Luke Henman buried a beautiful feed from David Goyette at 3:09 in the first period to give the Firebirds a 1-0 lead.

John Hayden would give the Firebirds the lead with a power play goal at 13:22 in the second period.

The Ontario Reign would tie the game up again just 1:25 later. The Reign would take their first lead
of the game with 23 seconds left in the second period.

The Firebirds scored the only goal in the third period off the stick of Ryan Winterton.

The game would go to a 3v3 five-minute overtime where both teams were held off the scoresheet.

Ontario would win score three times in the shootout for the win.

Jack LaFontaine finished the game with 36 saves on 39 shots in his season debut.

The Firebirds return to home ice on New Year's Eve to take on the Colorado Eagles. The largest indoor fireworks display will hit the ice following the game.

Tickets are still available at www.cvfirebirds.com.