Firebirds defeat Canucks 4-3 in a shootout to open weekend series

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the Abbotsford Canucks 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday at the Rogers Forum.

The Firebirds and Canucks traded back and forth to start the opener. Nils Aman opened the scoring for the 1-0 Abbotsford lead, then Jagger Firkus found the back of the net, making the game even at one.

The game would not remain tied for long. The Canucks scored two unanswered goals by former Firebird Jimmy Schuldt and Mackenzie MacEachern.

The birds responded with two straight goals, tying the game at 3-3. Firkus scored his second goal of the game, and Ben Meyers lit the lamp and sent the game into overtime.

Scoreless in OT, the Firebirds went 2-for-3 with goals from Logan Morrison and J.R. Avon, while Nikke Kokko saved two out of the three attempts to seal the win.

Nikke Kokko started in net for CV and saved 16 shots on goal.

Firebirds improve to an 11-6-3 record on the season. Coachella Valley will remain on the road and play the Abbotsford Canucks on Sunday, December 7th. Puck drop is at 4 PM.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the Coachella Valley Firebirds.