Coachella Valley Firebirds lose 5-1 at home against the Tucson Roadrunners

PALM DESERT, CA (October 28, 2026) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds (3-4-2-1) fell to the Tucson Roadrunners on Wednesday night at Acrisure Arena by the final score of 5-1.

Jagger Firkus scored his third goal of the season for Coachella Valley in the team’s fourth regulation loss of the year.

Tucson opened the scoring with just 23 seconds remaining in the first period as Ben McCartney netted a shorthanded goal to give the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead.

The Roadrunners extended their advantage in the second period with three goals. Tij Iginla scored his first pro goal at 2:06 before Austin Poganski added a power play goal at 10:08. Zac Jones made it 4-0 at 14:34 of the middle frame.

Coachella Valley responded just 23 seconds into the third period as Firkus found the back of the net, assisted by Kaden Hammell and J.R. Avon, to cut the deficit to 4-1. Tucson answered at 5:45 as McCartney scored his second goal of the night to complete the scoring.

Victor Ostman made 25 saves for Coachella Valley, while Tucson's Michael Hrabal stopped 20 shots. The Firebirds finished 0-for-3 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill.

The Firebirds' next game is at home against the Henderson Silver Knights for Día de los Muertos Night. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.