The Coachella Valley Firebirds enjoyed a triumphant home stand this past week, rattling off three consecutive wins to bolster their position in the Pacific Division. Fueled by an explosive offense and strong goaltending, the Firebirds showed resilience in each matchup, inching closer to solidifying a playoff spot as the season marches on. Below is a detailed breakdown of all three games, followed by a look at the team’s current outlook and the week’s standout performers.
Feb 19, 2025: Early energy leads to a 5–2 triumph over Tucson
Coachella Valley opened the week with a commanding performance against the Tucson Roadrunners, skating to a 5–2 victory. The Firebirds wasted little time finding the scoreboard, as defenseman Ty Nelson blasted home a shot just 3:33 into the first period off setups from Max Lajoie and Logan Morrison. Early in the second, the AHL’s leading rookie goal-scorer, Jani Nyman, notched his 21st of the season—assisted by Daniel Sprong and Ben Meyers—to extend the lead to 2–0.
Not long after, Luke Henman netted a goal to make it a three-goal advantage, prompting Tucson to respond with strikes in the second and third periods. Both tallies came from Hunter Drew, who singlehandedly kept the Roadrunners within striking distance. However, Coachella Valley slammed the door shut with back-to-back empty-net goals in the final two minutes—Nyman’s second of the night and a last-minute marker by Lleyton Roed. Goalie Philipp Grubauer remained steady in net, turning aside 22 of 24 shots to secure the comfortable win.
Feb 22, 2025: Hayden’s two-goal night sparks 4–1 victory over Calgary
On Saturday, the Firebirds kept their momentum rolling by defeating the Calgary Wranglers 4–1. Though Calgary jumped out to an early lead when Martin Frk found the net less than a minute into the game, Coachella Valley quickly responded. Veteran forward John Hayden scored on the power play at 13:41 of the first to tie the game, capitalizing on precise puck movement from Ty Nelson and Max Lajoie.
The Firebirds’ offense revved up in the second period, highlighted by Lleyton Roed potting his 13th goal, followed by another power-play conversion from Hayden in the dying seconds of the frame. With a 3–1 advantage going into the third, the team continued to press, eventually adding an insurance goal from Ben Meyers midway through the final period. Nikke Kokko backstopped the win with 12 saves on 13 shots, demonstrating once again that Coachella Valley is solidifying its depth both in net and across all four lines.
Feb 23, 2025: Barracuda outpaced in 5–3 Coachella Valley victory
In Sunday’s finale, the Firebirds soared to a 5–3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda, capping off a perfect three-game stretch. Rookie sensation Jani Nyman wasted no time, striking just 48 seconds into the contest for his 23rd goal. Less than five minutes later, Gustav Olofsson joined the party, burying a feed from Ville Ottavainen and David Goyette to push the lead to 2–0.
San Jose chipped away with a late first-period goal, but Coachella Valley reasserted control in the second via markers from Jagger Firkus and Ben Meyers. Though the Barracuda inched closer with another tally in the second and a late goal in the third, Logan Morrison sealed the deal with an empty-net strike in the game’s dying seconds. Philipp Grubauer turned aside 26 of 29 shots, remaining calm under pressure to guide the Firebirds to their third win in as many nights.
State of the Firebirds
With three straight home victories, the Firebirds now find themselves climbing steadily up the Pacific Division standings. Their offense looks increasingly dynamic, thanks to continued production from rookies like Jani Nyman—who has reached 23 goals—and the leadership of more experienced players such as John Hayden and Daniel Sprong. On the defensive side, timely blocked shots and responsible puck management have helped limit opponents’ opportunities, while goaltenders Philipp Grubauer and Nikke Kokko have proven to be reliable last lines of defense. As the season progresses, this balanced approach could make Coachella Valley a formidable playoff contender.
Key performers of the week
- Jani Nyman – The high-flying rookie added four goals across these three games, pushing his season total to 23 and showcasing a lethal scoring touch.
- John Hayden – Notched two goals in the win over Calgary, providing a physical edge up front and energizing the power play with timely finishes.
- Ben Meyers – Continued his offensive surge, tallying key goals against both Calgary and San Jose while contributing vital assists, underscoring his all-around impact.
Overall, the Firebirds’ three-game sweep has injected new life into their playoff hopes. With a combination of dynamic rookies, seasoned veterans, and improving goaltending, Coachella Valley is poised for an exciting push down the stretch of the AHL season.