Already assured of a postseason berth, the Coachella Valley Firebirds approached last week’s trio of home games with an eye on perfecting their chemistry and fortifying their special teams. Central to this effort was reintegrating top scorer Jani Nyman, who returned after a productive 12-game NHL stint (3 goals, 3 assists). With only a couple of regular-season contests left, the Firebirds are striving to strike a balance between resting key contributors, solidifying line combinations, and keeping their competitive edge high in preparation for another deep Calder Cup run.
Barracuda claim overtime stalemate, 1–0
Despite solid goaltending from Nikke Kokko (27 saves), the Firebirds couldn’t find the back of the net through 60 minutes in a tightly contested defensive battle. San Jose finally broke the deadlock 53 seconds into overtime with a goal from Filip Bystedt, handing Coachella Valley a narrow 1–0 defeat. While the Firebirds’ offense generated chances, they ultimately lacked the finishing touch on this night.
Nyman’s two-goal spark leads to 4–2 triumph
The Firebirds rebounded in a big way the following game, powered by the return of Jani Nyman. After Bakersfield opened the scoring just over a minute into the first, Nyman responded with two goals just 28 seconds apart—both set up by Ben Meyers, with an additional helper from Oscar Fisker Mølgaard on the second. Coachella Valley then padded its advantage on tallies from Cale Fleury and Jagger Firkus, building a 4–1 lead before allowing a late marker in the third. Nyman’s immediate impact—providing both the equalizer and eventual go-ahead goal—proved why the Kraken sent him back to the AHL to bolster Coachella Valley’s playoff run.
Gulls foil Firebirds rally in 4–3 OT heartbreaker
On Sunday, Coachella Valley carried momentum into another high-energy matchup. The Firebirds jumped out to a 2–0 lead with quick goals from Ben Meyers and Jagger Firkus, with Nyman assisting on the opener. San Diego clawed back with two second-period strikes, then each team added one more in the third—Oscar Fisker Mølgaard giving Coachella Valley a 3–2 edge before the Gulls forced overtime in the final seconds. San Diego prevailed 2:52 into the extra frame, tagging the Firebirds with a 4–3 loss. Despite the defeat, Coachella Valley’s attack looked more balanced, thanks in part to Nyman’s reintegration.
State of the Firebirds
With the playoffs secured, the Firebirds are focused on fine-tuning their chemistry and reinforcing their lines. The return of Jani Nyman—fresh off a 12-game NHL stint with 3 goals and 3 assists—reestablishes Coachella Valley’s main scoring threat just in time for the postseason. The coaching staff will look to polish special teams and maintain defensive discipline over the final stretch, aiming to transform the Firebirds into a well-rounded force when the Calder Cup chase begins.
Key performers of the week
- Jani Nyman – Returned from the NHL and promptly delivered two goals in Saturday’s win, including the critical tying and go-ahead markers.
- Ben Meyers – Contributed multiple assists on Saturday and added a goal and two more helpers on Sunday, underlining his offensive versatility.
- Nikke Kokko – Although he suffered an OT loss on Wednesday, Kokko’s 27-save performance showcased his composure and ability to keep the Firebirds in any low-scoring game.
With only a two regular-season contests remaining, the Firebirds will focus on locking in their lines and sharpening every facet of their game, hoping to break through and capture the Calder Cup after two straight near-miss finishes.