McCormick’s historic night fuels Firebirds past Barracuda

Captain Max McCormick led by example Saturday night on the road as the CV Firebirds breeze past the Barracuda, 8-2, to improve to 2-2 on the season.

McCormick accounted for five points, two goals and three assists, to set the Franchise record for points in a game.

The Firebirds scored three times in the opening period. Luke Henman followed up an Andrew Poturalski try on net with his first goal of the year to give Coachella Valley a 1-0 lead 5:18 into the game. Kole Lind was credited with the secondary assist. Max McCormick netted a powerplay goal from Lind to extend the Firebirds’ lead to 2-0 shortly followed by terrific effort by Ryker Evans to make it 3-0.

Shane Wright helped the Firebirds pick up right where they left off in the second period. Ryan Winterton forced the puck free with a heavy stick lift and fed Wright for his second goal of the season and Winterton’s first professional point. Jacob Melanson finished off a 2-on-1 with McCormick to net his first goal as a pro at 9:10 of the second. Marian Studenic redirected a Connor Carrick wrist shot from the blueline to cash in with his second tally of the season at 11:59.

Coachella Valley capped off their impressive offensive output with two more goals in the third period. McCormick snuck behind the Barracuda defense to make it 7-0. The goal marked McCormick’s fifth point of the game, setting a Firebirds franchise record for most points in a single game. Ryan Winterton picked up his first professional goal with a shorthanded breakaway goal at 12:28.

Danil Guschin added two late goals for San Jose before the buzzer sounded, making the final score 8-2.

The Firebirds outshot the Condors 39-35 and finished 1-for-3 on the powerplay. The penalty kill went 2-for-2. With the win, the Coachella Valley moves to 2-2 on the season.

View the game’s full box score HERE.