After enduring a five-game losing streak that stretched into last week, the Firebirds have suddenly reversed course, picking up a win to end that slide and now adding two more victories in Chicago for a three-game run. While they have yet to lock up a playoff berth, Coachella Valley sits firmly in the Pacific Division hunt. With only eight games left—each against division foes jockeying for postseason position—the Firebirds will need every bit of momentum as they gear up for the final push.
March 29, 2025: Saturday OT thriller
The weekend opener saw the Wolves strike first just 2:28 into the contest, capitalizing on a power play to take a 1–0 lead. Unfazed, Coachella Valley drew level late in the first when Ryan Winterton notched his 16th goal off feeds from Ty Nelson and Logan Morrison. Chicago regained the advantage early in the second via another power-play marker, but Winterton responded again at 5:55 to square the score at two apiece. After a scoreless third period, the game went to overtime, where Jagger Firkus buried the deciding tally at 4:19, lifting the Firebirds to a 3–2 victory. Goaltender Nikke Kokko turned aside 26 shots, helping Coachella Valley secure the hard-fought road win.
March 30, 2025: Sunday shutout
In the Sunday rematch, Coachella Valley’s offense stayed hot while the defense locked down Chicago’s attack, culminating in a 4–0 shutout. Ben Meyers opened the scoring at 16:22 of the first period, with assists from Jagger Firkus and Brandon Biro. The Firebirds extended their lead in the second courtesy of Logan Morrison and a power-play blast from Firkus. In the final frame, David Goyette added another power-play goal to put the game out of reach. Backstopping the shutout was Victor Östman, who stopped all 29 shots in his first AHL clean sheet—and third overall this season, having previously posted two in the ECHL with the Kansas City Mavericks.
State of the Firebirds
With these two road victories, Coachella Valley appears to have recaptured its scoring prowess, even without Jani Nyman in the lineup. The Firebirds’ ability to net seven total goals across back-to-back games indicates a balanced offense that’s stepping up around key players like Ryan Winterton and Jagger Firkus. Goaltending depth looks promising, particularly with the emergence of Victor Östman. The 24-year-old netminder boasts a 2–0–1 record, a 1.33 GAA, and a .950 save percentage through three AHL starts, igniting speculation that he could contend for Seattle’s backup goalie spot next season. As the regular season winds down, the Firebirds will look to sustain this momentum and fortify their push for playoff positioning.
Key performers of the week
- Ryan Winterton – Led the charge with two goals (including the game-tying tally) in Saturday’s OT thriller, providing consistent offensive spark.
- Jagger Firkus – Sealed Saturday’s victory in overtime and added a power-play goal and assist on Sunday, continuing his productive streak.
- Victor Östman – Earned his first AHL shutout in Sunday’s 4–0 win, finishing the weekend with a stellar 29-save performance that showcased his strong case for a future NHL backup role.