It was a short but memorable week for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, who took on the Calgary Wranglers in back-to-back games. Their offense exploded for 16 goals across two dominant victories, propelling the Firebirds into second place in the Pacific Division with a 7–3–0 record in their last ten outings. By leapfrogging the Wranglers in the standings, Coachella Valley continues to bolster its playoff hopes as the season enters the stretch run.
March 4, 2025: Firestorm unleashed with six on the scoreboard
On Tuesday, the Firebirds came out guns blazing in a 7–1 dismantling of the Wranglers. Tye Kartye, recently sent down from the NHL, scored his first goal as a Firebird just over three minutes into the game, then promptly added another on the power play to push the lead to 3–0. Not to be outdone, newcomers and veterans alike got in on the offensive onslaught. Jacob Melanson and David Goyette contributed goals in the first period, creating a commanding 4–0 gap before the intermission. Though Calgary pulled one back in the second, Coachella Valley answered in the final frame, with Ryan Winterton burying a shorthanded strike and rookie phenom Jani Nyman adding his 26th goal of the season to cap off a statement win. Goaltender Nikke Kokko turned aside 19 of 20 shots, backstopping the Firebirds’ fast-paced attack.
March 5, 2025: Coachella racks up eight more
Less than 24 hours later, Coachella Valley outdid itself with a 8–2 triumph. While the Wranglers opened the scoring just 34 seconds into the contest, the Firebirds roared back when Ian McKinnon tied it up late in the first. In a second period for the ages, Coachella Valley struck seven times, featuring multiple goals from McKinnon and an awe-inspiring natural hat trick by Daniel Sprong. By the time the dust settled, the Firebirds held an 8–1 advantage. Calgary’s lone third-period marker did little to dent Coachella Valley’s momentum, as they cruised to a second consecutive lopsided victory. Victor Östman stopped 23 of 25 shots in net, while the offense piled on the goals from all corners of the lineup.
State of the Firebirds
These consecutive wins pushed the Firebirds to a 7–3–0 record over their last ten contests, elevating them to second in the Pacific Division—an impressive leapfrog over the Wranglers. However, the roster didn’t stay intact for long. Tye Kartye, who scored twice during his brief three-game stint in Coachella, was called back up to Seattle and immediately found success, potting a goal against Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Daniel Sprong—fresh off his hat trick—was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Although his time with the Kraken organization didn’t pan out as hoped, Sprong’s remarkable production in Coachella Valley showcased his worth around the league.
Looking ahead, more Firebirds could receive call-ups to the NHL. With Seattle more likely to earn a top draft pick than contend for the postseason, management may opt to give younger players a taste of the NHL experience. Despite these personnel changes, Coachella Valley remains poised for a run at the Calder Cup playoffs, banking on depth and the continued heroics of rising stars like Nyman and established contributors like John Hayden.
Key performers of the week
- Daniel Sprong – Erupted for four goals in just two games, including a spectacular natural hat trick on Wednesday, boosting his trade value and leading to a deadline move to New Jersey.
- Tye Kartye – Scored twice in Tuesday’s victory, then headed back to the NHL, where he kept his hot stick rolling with a goal in his first game back.
- Ian McKinnon – Chipped in three goals across the series, infusing physical play and timely scoring to help power the Firebirds’ offensive surge.
With the regular season winding down, the Firebirds will look to maintain their newfound momentum despite key roster changes. If the last two games are any indication, Coachella Valley will remain a high-flying threat for any opponent they face as they charge toward the Calder Cup playoffs.