Firebirds look for home-ice victory after back-to-back wins on the road against Canucks
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are looking for a win at home as they rematch the Abbotsford Canucks Wednesday night.
News Channel 3's sports team is live at Acrisure Arena at 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, and 6:30 tonight with updates ahead of the game. Watch interviews with players and learn about a special menorah lighting.
Looking for a win at home
The Firebirds are 10-1-0-0 on the road after back-to-back wins over the weekend against the Canucks. But tonight, the team is looking for a win at home. The team has a 2-6-1 record at Acrisure Arena. Puck drop is set for 7pm PT.
welcome to Piv’s Pregame Report 🔥 everything you need to know about tonight’s matchup #LetsFly @Evan_Pivnick pic.twitter.com/2z3zURyiSP
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) December 13, 2023
The Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the Abbotsford Canucks on Saturday night by the final score of 4-2. Max McCormick, Jaycob Megna, Ville Ottavainen, and Luke Henman scored in the victory to move Coachella Valley to a 10-1-0-0 road record this season.
The Firebirds defeated the Abbotsford Canucks on Friday night by the final score of 4-2. Shane Wright scored on a 5-on-3 powerplay halfway through the third period.
Goalie watch
Fans will be watching to find out what changes the team might have, especially considering goalie changes. On Monday, the NHL's Seattle Kraken recalled goalie Chris Driedger from the Firebirds.
Chris Driedger stopped 22 of the 24 shots he saw during the Saturday game against the Canucks.
TRANSACTION: The @SeattleKraken have recalled G Chris Driedger and D Jayson Megna from the #CVFirebirds. pic.twitter.com/2Qzma6JQQp
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) December 10, 2023
On Monday, the team announced goaltender Cale Morris was signed to a professional tryout. He joins goaltenders Jack LaFontaine and Ales Stezka as netminders on the team roster. Stezka continues to be "day-to-day" with an injury to his upper body.
NEWS: The #CVFirebirds have signed goaltender Cale Morris to a professional tryout (PTO).
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) December 11, 2023
Morris has played in 13 games this season with the @kc_mavericks. pic.twitter.com/xwKugMuMCS
Check it out: Former Firebirds star Joey Daccord records first NHL shutout, helps Seattle snap losing streak
The Firebirds tell News Channel 3, "Morris, 27, has posted a 7-4-1 record in 13 games played this season for the Firebirds’ ECHL affiliate, the Kansas City Mavericks. The Larkspur, CO native has appeared in 21 AHL games and 57 ECHL games over his four-year professional career. Morris was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Month back in October. Prior to turning pro, Morris was a standout netminder for the University of Notre Dame, helping his team to two B1G Championships. In addition to being named the B1G Tournament’s MVP in back-to-back seasons, Morris also earned the conference’s Player of the Year award for the 2017-18 season. Morris posted a 58-32-6 record in the NCAA with a goals against average of 2.54 and a save percentage of .914."
Game broadcast this weekend
This Sunday, the Firebirds host the Colorado Eagles. If you can't make it to Acrisure Arena for Sunday's game, you can watch it live on CW5.
It's just one of a dozen local games that the KESQ station group will air throughout the hockey season as official broadcast partner of the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Check out our special section on the Coachella Valley Firebirds
