The Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the San Jose Barracuda by a score of 4-2 at Acrisure Arena on March 28, extending their winning streak to four games. Jani Nyman, Lleyton Roed, Ty Nelson, and Cooper Marody each scored for the Firebirds, while goaltender Nikke Kokko made 40 saves on 42 shots.
This victory adds to the Firebirds’ recent strong performance and highlights their ongoing success in the American Hockey League. The team has now won eight of its last nine games and improved its season record to 36-21-5-0.
Nyman opened scoring with a powerplay goal in the first period. Roed followed less than three minutes later with his tenth goal of the season. In the third period, Nelson extended his goal streak to three consecutive games with an insurance marker before Marody sealed the win with an empty net goal—his first as a Firebird—in the final seconds. Despite being outshot by San Jose 42-23, Coachella Valley finished perfect on penalty kills and converted one of two powerplays.
The game’s three stars were named as Cooper Marody (who also had an assist), Nikke Kokko (who earned his seventeenth win), and Ty Nelson (whose point streak reached four straight games). The Firebirds will continue their homestand with another matchup against San Jose on Sunday.
The Coachella Valley Firebirds have recorded deep playoff runs and division titles in their early seasons, according to the official website. They serve as the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken according to their official website.
Beyond competition, they build a passionate hockey community through fan events and initiatives according to their official website. Their outreach includes youth hockey development, education programs, health initiatives according to their official website, and partnerships with local nonprofits through The Coachella Valley Firebirds Foundation according to their official website. The team continues bringing professional hockey opportunities to fans in the region as noted by its official site.
