The Seattle Kraken are starting off their 2026-27 National Hockey League (NHL) season on the right foot. Their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate started off strong but has since taken a slight tumble.
The Firebirds beat the San Diego Gulls on Friday, Oct. 9, on home ice, 6-3. Coachella Valley have since gone on a two-game losing streak, falling in overtime to the Ontario Reign on Sunday, while getting handed their first regulation loss at the hands of the Henderson Silver Knights on Oct. 14.
Despite the new losing streak, the Firebirds have still had some bright moments throughout their past few games.
Kokko records 40th AHL win
Before the Firebirds lost their last two games, they recorded their second win of the season in just three games. This win was partially thanks to goaltender Nikke Kokko holding down the fort between the pipes. He stopped 31 of the Gulls' 34 shots. Since the Firebirds offense was hotter than the Gulls' Kokko, he secured his 40th AHL win.
Kokko is entering his third season as the Firebirds' starting goaltender. In his first season with the team, 2024-25, Kokko recorded 20 wins and had 19 last season, just one shy of the 40th win mark. By earning his 40th AHL win to start off the 2026-27 season, Kokko's first win of the season marks a great milestone. This should set him off on the right track as the rest of the season progresses.
Jugnauth's point streak ends
Tyson Jugnauth was off to the best start out of everyone on the Firebirds for the 2026-27 season. He recorded two assists in the Firebirds' season opener and four in their next game on the second half of a back-to-back. Against San Diego and Ontario, he recorded an assist in each game. Jugnauth recorded an assist on J.R. Avon's second goal of the season against San Diego, and against Ontario, his assist was recorded on Lleyton Roed's first goal of the season. Since no goals were scored against the Silver Knights, Jugnauth's dominating performance to start the season comes to a close.
Jugnauth currently leads the Firebirds in points with his eight assists. As a defenseman, he has been having a huge offensive swing in his play to start the season. This is his second full season in the AHL with the Firebirds, and he is already performing well. If he continues to have this level of play, there's a chance that Jugnauth could see an NHL call-up at some point during the season.
Firebirds handed tough first regulation loss of the season
The Firebirds have lost two games before they took on the Henderson Silver Knights, but both games were overtime losses, so at least Coachella Valley secured a point in each. Against the Silver Knights, this was not the case. The Firebirds didn't even score a single goal, securing the shutout for the Silver Knights.
This game was the first time where the Firebirds weren't up to par or ahead of the scoring as their opposing team. At the same point, Firebirds fans shouldn't panic just yet. There is still time for Coachella Valley to get back on the right track.
While it's unfortunate the Firebirds were shutout already this early in the season, they have time to bounce back and recover. They've been strong in the offensive department to start the season; there's no need to panic just yet.
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