The Coachella Valley Firebirds secured a 2-0 victory over the Calgary Wranglers on Saturday, concluding Round 1 of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. The match was hosted at Acrisure Arena, where Firebirds' goalie Nikke Kokko successfully blocked all 23 shots from the Calgary side, marking his first playoff shutout in the AHL. Contributions also came from team members Mitchell Stephens and John Hayden, each finding the back of the net for Coachella Valley.
Having eliminated the Wranglers for the third consecutive season, the Firebirds are advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Their next challenge is against the Abbotsford Canucks, commencing with a best-of-five series launching on Thursday, May 1st at Acrisure Arena.
For the first time in postseason history, Coachella Valley will meet Abbotsford on the ice. The Firebirds have faced off against the Canucks four times during the regular season, boasting a record of 3-1-0-0. Historically, Coachella Valley's standing against Abbotsford is strong, with a 12-3-0-1 record over 16 regular-season matchups.
The 2025 Playoffs are sponsored by Spotlight 29 Casino. The scheduled matches for the second round are as follows:
- Game One: Thursday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. PT at Acrisure Arena
- Game Two: Saturday, May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. PT at Acrisure Arena
- Game Three: Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. PT at Abbotsford Centre
- Game Four*: Friday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. PT at Abbotsford Centre
- Game Five*: Sunday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m. PT at Abbotsford Centre
(*If necessary)
Fans have the opportunity to enjoy a 35% discount on tickets through the Nikke Kokko Offer, celebrating Coachella Valley's AHL All-Rookie goaltender. Tickets start at $27, available for select seats and online purchases only. Additionally, group tickets are available for purchase, offering special discounts and tax exemptions for groups of 10 or more.
Ticket purchases can also be made in-person at the Ticketmaster Box Office on Monday, April 28th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Firebirds are also offering season ticket memberships for the upcoming 2025-26 season, as well as premium seating options.
For updates on Firebirds' news and events, fans are encouraged to visit CVFirebirds.com or follow the team on social media @Firebirds.