The Coachella Valley Firebirds secured a 4-3 overtime win against the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday night at Lee’s Family Forum. Ty Nelson scored the game-winning powerplay goal 1:49 into overtime, while Logan Morrison led the team with four points. The victory marked the Firebirds’ second consecutive win over the Silver Knights as they head into the All-Star break with a 25-15-5-0 record.
Logan Morrison set up Jani Nyman for the opening goal in the first period, assisted by Ty Nelson. This was Nyman’s third straight game with a goal and his fourth in five games. Henderson responded early in the second period with a goal from Ben Hemmerling, but Morrison regained the lead for Coachella Valley on a powerplay goal, assisted by Eduard Sale and Jagger Firkus. Morrison added another goal just over two minutes later, with assists from Firkus and Gustav Olofsson.
Late in regulation, Henderson pulled their goaltender and Raphael Lavoie scored twice in less than 20 seconds to tie the game and force overtime. A tripping penalty against Hemmerling gave Coachella Valley a powerplay opportunity early in overtime. Jagger Firkus and Logan Morrison assisted on Ty Nelson’s decisive one-timer from the left point.
Goaltender Jack LaFontaine made 33 saves on 36 shots for his fourth win of the season. The Firebirds were outshot 36-29 but went 2-for-3 on powerplays and killed all three penalties faced.
The three stars of the game were named as follows: third star Raphael Lavoie of Henderson for scoring two late goals; second star Jagger Firkus of Coachella Valley for recording three assists; and first star Logan Morrison of Coachella Valley for two goals and two assists.
Following the All-Star break, Coachella Valley will host the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday, February 13th for Kraken Night at Acrisure Arena. The event will feature promotions including Happy Hour specials and a jersey luggage tag giveaway.
The Firebirds have offered new ticket packages and released additional premium seating options at Acrisure Arena this season. They are also introducing fan-focused improvements such as advance-purchase parking discounts, affordable food options, earlier weekday start times, and pregame Happy Hour events.
As an American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, the Firebirds bring professional hockey to California’s Coachella Valley. Since their establishment as an expansion franchise in the Pacific Division, the team has achieved playoff runs and division titles. The organization emphasizes community involvement through youth hockey development programs, education initiatives, health efforts, partnerships with local nonprofits via its foundation to support families and children, and engaging fan events (source).
