WRANGLERS FALL IN OT IN GAME 5

In yet another incredibly tight contest, Game 5 between the Wranglers and Firebirds needed extra time to solve the series, with Coachella Valley coming out on top in overtime.

The 6-5 setback ends the Wranglers push for the Calder Cup, wrapping up the best-of-five series.

"We've talked about it time and time again, it's been a resilient group all year long. Does it make tonight - make anybody feel any better? Because we felt like we were right there. It seemed like last shot wins tonight and that's how it ended," head coach Mitch Love said afterwards.

"It's a quality team over there. Good luck to anybody who faces them, they're a good team. But this one stings because again, we felt like we had pushback all night, had our chances in overtime - a 2-on-1, missed the net - and a former MVP of the league ends the game for them.

"It's tough but I said to the guys after the game, and it's always a tough conversation to have with your team after a loss, but I'm proud and it was a pleasure to go to work and war each and every day with them."

The loss concludes a very strong season for the Wranglers, which saw them sit on top of the AHL in the regular season with a 51-17-4 record and 106 points.

Earning a first-round bye in the Calder Cup Playoffs, they dispatched the Abbotsford Canucks 3-1 in the second round, and in the powerhouse match-up against the Firebirds, who were the only other team in the AHL to surpass the 100-point mark in the regular season, it took all five games to decide a victor.

"It's tough to swallow right now, obviously," captain Brett Sutter said. "Once again, guys played their hearts out like we have for each other all year. It's tough for it to end this way.

"I've got a bunch of little brothers in there. We became a hell of a family this year. We had a lot of fun together, we worked hard together, and it just stings right now."

In Game 5, the Firebirds opened the scoring in the opening period with a goal from Jesper Froden but the Wranglers were able to find the back of the net in the second stanza, with goals from Kristians Rubins and Clark Bishop. A marker from Coachella Valley's Ville Petman made it a 2-2 game after 40 minutes.

In a wild third period, the Wranglers and Firebirds combined for six goals: Nick DeSimone, Jeremie Poirier, and Cole Schwindt hitting the scoresheet for Calgary and Jeremy McKenna (2) and Gustav Olofsson beating Dustin Wolf.

Heading to overtime tied up at 5-5, it was Andrew Poturalski playing hero for the home team with his first of the playoffs, ending the game at the 7:00 mark of extra time.

The Wranglers playoff run ends with Jakob Pelletier leading the club with 10 points through eight games and Wolf holding a 2.67 GAA and a .912 save percentage with one shutout through his nine appearances.