New year, same Firebirds as Coachella Valley wins its sixth game in a row

The calendar changed to 2023, but the Coachella Valley Firebirds didn't change anything, they just keep winning.

A power-play goal by John Hayden with five minutes left in the game was the difference-maker as the Firebirds broke a 2-2 tie with the Colorado Eagles and added an empty-net goal by captain Max McCormick for a 4-2 victory in front of 7,044 fans at Acrisure Arena.

It was the sixth win in a row for the Firebirds and their ninth win in 10 games. Coachella Valley is now 21-6-3 on the season and is in a first-place tie with Calgary in the Pacific Division. In that 10-game stretch, the Firebirds have outscored their opponents 41-21.

The Eagles, an affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, had been a thorn in the Firebirds' side, winning both of their prior meetings in overtime. That provided a little incentive for the Firebirds in this one, and it was evident that intensity was cranked up for both teams in what is becoming a budding rivalry.

"It was definitely intense. We went up to Colorado and they got us twice. So we owed them a little bit of revenge, and I thought today was kind of like a playoff atmosphere out there," said Austin Poganski who had a goal and an assist for the Firebirds. "This is our barn and our style of play, and we expect teams to have a hard time when they come in here and so far they have."

Coach Dan Bylsma confirmed there is a true combination of respect and dislike for the Eagles at this point.

"We've played them now three games and they are a really good team, great group of forwards and they've played us hard and played us fast," Bylsma said. "They got the best of us in those two closely contested games up there, and it's that kind of competition that breeds ... there's guys over there we don't like and there's guys on our team they don't like and it's definitely starting to build."

In Wednesday's win, the Firebirds dominated the first two periods, but their control in the offensive zone and their large shot disparity (22-10 at that point) didn't produce goals. Sure enough, one perfectly placed outlet pass by the Eagles late in the second period resulted in a breakaway goal. All of a sudden, the game was tied 1-1 heading into the third period, and the air had been sucked out of a relatively rowdy Acrisure Arena.

Poganski scored on a nifty wrister, beating talented Colorado goalkeeper Justus Annunen top shelf to give the Firebirds a 2-1 lead and get the crowd roaring again. Poganski said he's been thrilled with the atmosphere at Acrisure Arena in the five home games so far and even other teams are noticing.

"People I've talked to on different teams say they love to come here and play because the fans are so cheerful and energetic and that's what us players like to see," Poganski said. "I mean it's a Wednesday night and the crowd is here. It makes a difference."

The Eagles knotted the game at 2-2 with a power-play goal, cashing in on their first man-advantage after the Firebirds had gone two and a half periods without committing a penalty.

But with five minutes remaining, the Firebirds got a power-play opportunity of their own and Hayden cashed it in. The puck was thrown in front of the net and there was a mish-mash of sticks and legs before Hayden squeeze it past the goalkeeper for the game-winner.

"We sort of just kept grinding and we were in control and sometimes games like that, the success doesn't come until the last five minutes of the game," Hayden said. "That was the case tonight."

Joey Daccord played well in net, stopping 17 shots, and Andrew Poturalski had another stat-stuffing night, adding a goal and an assist to his ledger.

The goals

1-0 Firebirds: The only goal of the first period was scored by Andrew Poturalski, his ninth of the year. He reenacted his wraparound game-winner from that crazy 7-6 win over Ontario on Dec. 28, with the same pretty move. He zoomed in on the right side of the goal, shot-faked to get the goalie to move and then came around the back of the goal and wrapped it in on the left side. The assists went to Austin Poganski and Jimmy Schuldt.

1-1: With less than a minute to go in the second period, a long clearing pass weaved perfectly between skates and legs and went to the tape of the Eagles' Jean-Luc Foudy. He was in all alone on Firebirds goalkeeper Joey Daccord, and he beat him five-hole for the equalizer.

2-1 Firebirds: Six minutes into the third period, Austin Poganski put the Firebirds back on top with a pretty top-shelf wrister above the goalie's left shoulder. The assists went to Luke Henman and Jimmy Schuldt. It was Poganski's fifth goal of the year.

2-2: A laser beam from Charles Hudon, who is playing in his first game back with the Eagles after a brief stint at the NHL level with the Colorado Avalanche. It was a power-play goal, taking advantage of the Firebirds' first penalty of the game.

3-2 Firebirds: John Hayden smashed home a power-play goal with five minutes left out of a scrum in front of the net. Max McCormick and Andrew Poturalski had the assists.

4-2: An empty-net goal by Max McCormick capped the scoring.

Desert Sun Firebirds Player of the Game

Austin Poganski: Poganski had an assist on the game's first goal and scored the Firebirds' second goal to help boost the Firebirds to a win. It was Poganski's fourth goal of the season.

Ice nuggets

Max appreciation: Each game the Firebirds honor active military members and veterans in the crowd during a stoppage in play in the second period. Firebirds captain Mac McCormick could be seen smacking his stick on the ice, which is a hockey player's way of applauding. A nice gesture and proof that the players can hear the overhead announcements.

Strength on strength: This game went pretty much according to Hoyle as the Firebirds, one of the more prolific offenses in the league, outshot the Eagles 34-19, but didn't rack up a ton of goals against one of the most stingy defenses in the league. The Eagles allow the third-fewest goals per game in the league at 2.50, and the Firebirds score the third-most goals in the league at 3.79 per game.

Crowd getting comfy: It's clear just five games into the home slate, the Acrisure Arena home crowd is starting to get more and more comfortable being hockey fans. In Wednesday's game they were booing the Eagles and the refs when appropriate, they were fired up when a penalty was committed and when an assist by Luke Henman was mentioned by the announcer, the entire crowd roared "Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke." There's a vibe that didn't exist on opening night.

What's next

The Firebirds play a pair of home games this weekend on Saturday against the San Jose Barracuda and Sunday against the Ontario Reign. Take note of the start times as the Saturday game is at 6 p.m. and the Sunday game is at 3 p.m. It's pride weekend and the team will be wearing special jerseys.

Shad Powers is a columnist for The Desert Sun. Have a question about the FIrebirds or Acrisure Arena? Reach him at shad.powers@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley Firebirds win sixth game in a row