Overview
- Coachella Valley sealed the back-to-back with a 4-1 win on Sunday, outshooting Calgary 36-16 and finishing the series 2-0.
- Eduard Sale scored twice in the finale, with Logan Morrison and Kaden Hammell also tallying for the Firebirds; Justin Kirkland had Calgary’s lone goal.
- Goaltending flipped for Game 2 as Victor Ostman started for Coachella Valley opposite Ivan Prosvetov, after Nikke Kokko’s 38-save performance led a 4-2 win on Saturday.
- Kokko’s Saturday outing tied Chris Driedger for the Firebirds’ all-time wins lead at 32, despite the Wranglers holding a 41-20 shot edge in that game.
- Calgary’s weekend featured significant personnel movement and updates, with Matvei Gridin and Hunter Brzustewicz recalled to the Flames before Sunday, Simon Mack brought up for depth, Brennan Othmann debuting on the top line Saturday, and injuries listing Rory Kerins week-to-week and Martin Frk day-to-day as Parker Bell and Lucas Ciona returned.