Win streak comes to an end as depleted Firebirds fall 5-2 on the road to Iowa Wild

The Coachella Valley Firebirds entered Saturday’s game in Des Moines, Iowa riding a six-game win streak. But without their two leaders in points, the Firebirds were unable to extend the win streak to seven.

The 5-2 loss to the Iowa Wild was Coachella Valley’s first since Jan. 8. It came without team captain Max McCormick, last week’s AHL player of the week who was called up to play for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, and Andrew Poturalski, sat out with an injury and was in the broadcast booth providing radio color commentary.

McCormick and Poturalski currently lead the Firebirds in points this season, with 42. Both played Thursday in a 3-2 win over the Wild.

The Saturday loss snapped a 14-game point streak, comprised of 13 wins and an overtime shootout loss, and was the Firebirds' first loss in regulation since Dec. 20.

Coachella Valley (28-7-3-1) will maintain the best record in the American Hockey League despite the loss.

For the first few minutes of Saturday’s game, it appeared that the win streak would continue despite the absence of the two stars. Alexander True scored just 23 seconds into the game and it seemed like maybe Coachella Valley would roll with star goalie Joey Daccord in the net.

But the Wild answered back late in the first period, then took the lead two minutes later. Coachella Valley rookie Ty Kartye tied the game with his ninth goal of the season early in the second period but the Wild controlled the rest of the game.

Late in the second period, Iowa scored twice more and then, for good measure, added a fifth goal in the third period.

Kole Lind recorded a pair of assists, and Kartye and True also recorded assists in the loss.

Daccord made 23 saves and is now 17-5-1 as a starter.

Ice nuggets

Hayden scores: The Firebirds also played again Saturday without forward John Hayden, who was called up to play for the Kraken last week and scored Friday in a loss to the Calgary Flame. Hayden is the first player to score an NHL goal after wearing a Firebirds jersey.

Hayden, a veteran with 242 NHL games under his belt, is fifth in points this season for the Firebirds, with 25 (13 goals, 12 assists).

Firebirds bring in McKenna: With McCormick and Hayden out of the lineup, the Firebirds recalled forward Jeremy McKenna this week from the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks. McKenna made is Firebirds debut Saturday.

McKenna joins the Firebirds for the second time this season after previously being recalled on Dec. 23. The 23-year-old currently leads the Mavericks in scoring, collecting 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists) in 33 games. McKenna has played in 44 American Hockey League games, previously suiting up for the Toronto Marlies.

Next game

Friday: The Firebirds will now return home and are set to play Friday at Acrisure Arena versus the San Diego Gulls. It will be the first of three consecutive games versus San Diego, with the first two being at home.

Five of the Firebirds’ next seven games will be inside Acrisure Arena.

Andrew John covers sports in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Firebirds' win streak comes to an end in 5-2 loss to Iowa Wild