CV Firebirds beat Henderson Silver Knights 5-1 at home

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds returned to the win column on Friday night, defeating the Henderson Silver Knights 5-1 at Acrisure Arena.

Mitchell Stephens scored twice in his return from injury as the Firebirds improved to 4-4-2-1 on the season.

Coachella Valley welcomed Stephens, Julius Miettinen, and Caden Price back to the lineup following injuries, with all three contributing offensively. Miettinen recorded two assists, while Price added a helper in the victory.

The Firebirds scored twice in the opening period and three more times in the second to snap a three-game losing streak.

Jagger Firkus opened the scoring at 11:11 of the first period, netting his fourth goal of the season off assists from Logan Morrison and Price. Ian McKinnon doubled the Firebirds' lead just over two minutes later, scoring his second of the year from Nathan Villeneuve and Carson Rehkopf to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes.

Stephens extended Coachella Valley's advantage to 3-0 at 5:08 of the second period, finishing a play set up by Miettinen and Gustav Olofsson. Henderson's Lukas Cormier responded at 10:11 to cut the deficit to two, but the Firebirds quickly regained control.

Stephens struck again at 13:15, scoring his second goal of the night off another assist from Miettinen. Just 21 seconds later, captain John Hayden added his second goal of the season, assisted by Lleyton Roed and Ryden Evers, giving Coachella Valley a 5-1 lead.

Nikke Kokko made 25 saves to earn the victory as the Firebirds outshot the Silver Knights 29-26. Coachella Valley finished 0-for-1 on the powerplay and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill, holding the Silver Knights scoreless on the man advantage.

The Firebirds conclude their homestand this Wednesday, November 4, against the Colorado Eagles at Acrisure Arena for Winning Wednesday. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. PT. Get tickets HERE.