After a winless three-game stretch the previous week, the Coachella Valley Firebirds struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the first two matchups of this week’s schedule. However, they finally broke through in their last game in Calgary, snapping their losing streak and keeping themselves in the thick of the Pacific Division playoff race. With just ten regular-season games remaining, the Firebirds sit in the middle of the pack, poised to make another postseason run if they can regain consistency.
March 19, 2025: A Tough Start at Home
Returning home after a rough skid, the Firebirds hoped to spark their offense against Henderson but ended up on the short side of a 2–1 decision. Following a scoreless first period, the Silver Knights notched two goals in rapid succession—both in the opening seven minutes of the second. Coachella Valley’s offense was largely stifled until late in the final frame, when Brandon Biro buried a feed from Logan Morrison and David Goyette at 17:20. Unfortunately, the late push wasn’t enough to overcome Henderson’s lead, and the Firebirds walked away with another frustrating loss.
March 21, 2025: Flames fizzle Firebirds’ attack
Two nights later, Coachella Valley traveled north to face the Wranglers and once again struggled to produce timely goals. Calgary grabbed a 1–0 advantage on Ty Tullio’s strike late in the first period and doubled the lead in the second on a goal from Martin Frk. The Firebirds attempted a late comeback when Mitchell Stephens lit the lamp at 18:15 of the third, cutting the deficit to 2–1. However, an empty-netter by William Strömgren sealed Coachella Valley’s fate in a 3–1 loss.
March 23, 2025: Finally, the breakthrough
Desperate to halt their slide, the Firebirds finally found answers in their weekend finale. They jumped out to a 2–0 lead behind first-period and second-period goals from Ben Meyers and Max Lajoie, respectively. Early in the third period, Ryan Winterton extended the advantage to 3–0. Calgary fought back with a power-play marker at 8:38, but Coachella Valley responded just over six minutes later when David Goyette put the team up 4–1. A late Wranglers tally trimmed the final margin to 4–2, but the Firebirds walked away with a much-needed victory, snapping their losing streak and rediscovering some of their offensive spark.
State of the Firebirds
Despite the two early losses this week, the Firebirds remain in the middle of the Pacific Division standings, solidly in the mix for a playoff berth with ten games left. The absence of top scorer Jani Nyman—now with the Seattle Kraken—continues to shape Coachella Valley’s offensive dynamics, but Sunday’s win highlighted the squad’s ability to produce balanced scoring when everyone contributes. With time running short, the Firebirds’ focus now shifts to maintaining momentum, tightening up special teams, and converting on high-danger chances to ensure they don’t lose ground in the tightly contested playoff race.
Key Performers of the Week
- Ben Meyers – Notched crucial goals in two separate games, including Sunday’s early strike that set the tone for the win.
- Ryan Winterton – Provided the game’s insurance goal on Sunday and chipped in with an assist earlier in the week, helping drive the offense from the middle-six.
- David Goyette – Piled up points in multiple contests, including a goal and an assist in Sunday’s victory, showcasing his knack for timely scoring and smart playmaking.
With their losing streak behind them, the Firebirds look to build on Sunday’s success as they push for a strong finish. If the renewed offensive effort continues, Coachella Valley has every chance to lock down a playoff spot and embark on another exciting postseason run.