Coachella Valley Firebirds clinch berth in Calder Cup playoffs

Matt Solinsky, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read
Coachella Valley forward Max McCormick (17) skates to the bench with blood on his sweater after a fight during the first period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.
Coachella Valley forward Max McCormick (17) skates to the bench with blood on his sweater after a fight during the first period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

In their inaugural season, the Coachella Valley Firebirds can check another milestone off their bucket list -- a playoff spot.

The Firebirds defeated the Iowa Wild 4-1 on Wednesday night to earn a berth in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. Max McCormick scored two goals in the Firebirds’ 39th victory of the season before 7,211 fans at Acrisure Arena.

After a scoreless first period, the Firebirds began the second period with a spark. Just 1:40 into the frame, Tye Kartye found defenseman Matt Tennyson speeding into the offensive zone. Tennyson blasted the puck on net and the rebound ricocheted off Wild netminder Jesper Wallstedt to McCormick, who cashed in for his 23rd of the season.

Coachella Valley added to its lead at the 6:43 mark following an odd man rush into the offensive zone. Cameron Hughes brought the puck over the blueline to Kartye, who located Eddie Wittchow driving down the left wing. Wittchow ripped a shot past Wallstedt for his fourth goal of the season to make it 2-0 Firebirds.

The Firebirds extended their lead on a powerplay goal early in the third period. Tennyson moved the puck to the corner for Alexander True, who found Hughes in the right circle. Hughes' shot over the shoulder of Wallstedt made it 3-0.

Max McCormick, Coachella Valley Firebirds
Max McCormick, Coachella Valley Firebirds

The Wild responded with a powerplay goal from Steven Fogarty with less than five minutes remaining and pulled their goaltender a short time later. Ville Petman and Alexander True teamed up to give McCormick the puck, backhanding it into the vacant cage. The empty net goal moved the score to 4-1.

Chris Driedger made 29 saves in the victory that moves Coachella Valley to 39-11-4-2. The Firebirds’ powerplay went 1-for-3 and the penalty kill finished 4-for-5.

The Firebirds host the Iowa Wild again on Friday. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: AHL hockey: Coachella Valley Firebirds clinch berth in Calder Cup playoffs