Coachella Valley Beats Ontario 4-3 on Saturday Night to Extend Point Streak to Four Straight Games
The Firebirds defeated the Ontario Reign on Saturday night at Toyota Arena by the final score 4-3. Jani Nyman, Lleyton Roed, Ryan Winterton, and Max McCormick each scored for the Firebirds while Nikke Kokko made 32 saves to record his tenth win of the season.
QUICK NOTES
- Jani Nyman scored the lone goal of the first period to give Coachella Valley a 1-0 lead at 11:01. The goal was Nyman’s 10th of the season and came unassisted.
- The Firebirds were awarded a powerplay early in the second period and seven seconds later, Lleyton Roed extended Coachella Valley’s lead. After Brandon Biro won the faceoff, the puck rolled to Nik Brouillard who located Roed at the high slot. Roed quickly turned and put the puck towards the cage, going through a sea of bodies and into the net for his eighth of the season at 1:17.
- Ontario pulled within a goal as Jack Studnicka redirected a shot from Caleb Jones to make it 2-1 at 4:30 of the second frame.
- Coachella Valley regained their two-goal lead as Ryan Winterton converted off an Ontario defensive zone turnover. Winterton’s strike was his 10th of the season and came unassisted at 16:14.
- Max McCormick put the Firebirds up by three at 1:22 of the third period on a highlight reel pass from Brandon Biro for his seventh of the season.
- The Reign added two goals, one on the powerplay from Samuel Fagemo and the other even-strength on a strike from Jeff Malott.
- Ontario pulled their goaltender Erik Portillo with two minutes left in the third period, but the Reign could not find the equalizer.
- Coachella Valley picked up the 4-3 win to move to 16-11-1-4 on the year.
- The Firebirds’ finished the game 3-for-4 on the penalty kill and 1-for-1 on the powerplay.
- Goaltender Nikke Kokko earned his tenth win of the season and made 32 saves on 35 shots.
- Coachella Valley was outshot 35-23 by Ontario.
- The Firebirds now have points in four straight games. The loss for the Reign ended their 10 game point streak.
Coachella Valley returns home tomorrow, Sunday, January 5th to host the San Diego Gulls for Hockey is for Everyone Night, presented by McDonald’s. Visit CVFirebirds.com to get your tickets now!
Me + 3 Ticket Package
Looking to bring some friends to a Firebirds’ game? Check out the brand-new Me + 3 Plan! Get four tickets and two beanies to select Coachella Valley home games from January through March, starting at just $28! To get your Me + 3, visit CVFirebirds.com!
Get a jump on the 2024-25 Firebirds season with individual, full season, half season, and 9-game Pick ‘Em Plan ticket packages on sale now! In addition to all Firebirds home games, full season ticket packages include access to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Spotlight 29, along with special events, gifts, membership perks, and more!
Stay up to date on the latest Firebirds’ news and info by visiting CVFirebirds.com and by following the team on social media @Firebirds.
