The Coachella Valley Firebirds fell to the Abbotsford Canucks in Game 1 of the second round of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs by the final score of 3-1. Firebirds fall 3-1 to the Canucks in Game 1 of the Pacific Division Semifinals. Abbotsford leads 1-0 in this best-of-5 game series. Game 2 is Saturday back
Continue Reading
After low attendance numbers in the first round of the playoffs against the Calgary Wranglers, the Firebirds are expecting better support in the second round against the Abbotsford Canucks. Team officials tell KESQ that the Firebirds averaged around 8,000 fans per game during the 2025-2025 regular season. Despite strong attendance numbers during the regular season,
Continue Reading
After back-to-back trips to the Calder Cup Finals in their first two years as a team, the Firebirds are back in the playoffs. Coachella Valley, the No. 4 seed in the Pacific division, will start their quest for a Calder Cup against a familiar foe in the Calgary Wranglers. The Firebirds eliminated the Wranglers the
Continue Reading
In an attempt to improve competitive balance for high school sports in the Coachella Valley, local athletic directors have decided to form a new conference, consisting of 14 teams. This 14-team conference will be divided into three sub-leagues per sport based on competitive equity. Busy sports news day with Firebirds playoffs, Bylsma firing and now
Continue Reading
Xavier Prep announced their new hockey team at the end of the March. The Saints are making history as the first local high school team in the Coachella Valley. Xavier Prep becomes the first high school here in the desert to have a hockey program. I got to catch up with Saints Athletic Director Andrew
Continue Reading
THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds lost to the San Jose Barracuda 1-0 in overtime on Wednesday at Acrisure Arena. The game featured plenty of fights and penalties. The Firebirds and Barracuda have a bit of a rivalry brewing, one we could see in the first round of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Continue Reading
Palm Desert boys golf proved they can play, winning the Champions Invitational for the second straight year. The 54-hole tournament featured some of the best teams in California, played at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs. PDHS junior star Luke Ringkamp led the Aztecs, shooting 18-under par for the tournament. He took the individual
Continue Reading
Laurie Lober, a 64-year-old local resident, completed a half marathon in all 50 states last Fall. Sports Director Blake Arthur met with Lober at her home to find out more about her journey. Laurie Lober has 50 of these medals – 50 states, 50 half marathons. It’s a journey that began in 2015, but a
Continue Reading
The Galleri Classic is no more, at least in name. GRAIL, a healthcare company based out of Northern California, decided to opt out of their contract as title sponsor after three years with the tournament. The PGA Tour Champions event in Rancho Mirage is now seeking a new title sponsor to hopefully keep the tournament
Continue ReadingWhat a week for the Australian Steve Allan. Allan wasn’t supposed to be in the field but found out a week before tournament play that he would be replacing Steve Stricker as the first alternate. Stricker withdrew from the tournament due to an ongoing back injury. What a week for Steve Allan! The Australian replaced
Continue Reading
Wind was a factor Friday in the first round of the Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage. Players battled the elements on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club as gusts were steady from 11:00 a.m. through the end of the round. After 18 holes, Bernhard Langer and Cameron Percy are tied for
Continue Reading
Players and golf course staff are ready for tournament play in Rancho Mirage, looking forward to the 3rd edition of the Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club. Michael Holyk, Director of Golf at @MissionHillsCC1, is proud of his golf course and looking forward to hosting the 3rd annual @GalleriClassic this week in Rancho Mirage.
Continue Reading
Notah Begay III is playing in this week’s Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage, but on Tuesday, the professional golfer was giving back to the local community. Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, Spotlight 29 Casino and Begay III teamed up to put on the 2nd annual youth clinic at Coachella Crossroads. Can't say enough about
Continue Reading
The busy month of March continued Monday, recapping the inaugural Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix and looking ahead to this week’s Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage. Sports Director Blake Arthur has all the details. Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of local sports.
Continue Reading
THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – History was made Sunday as Alex Palou won the inaugural Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix. Palou, widely regarded as the best driver on the circuit, is a three-time IndyCar series champion, who also won the $1 Million Challenge last March at the Thermal Club. Palou earned his 13th career victory in
Continue Reading
THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The NTT IndyCar Series is in town for the second event of the 2025 season and the first-ever race at the Thermal Club. "This place is a cheese grater for tires." 
@ArrowMcLaren driver @PatricioOWard on the track here at the Thermal Club for the inaugural @IndyCar Grand Prix this Sunday. Tire
PALM DESERT, CA (March 19, 2025) — The Coachella Valley Firebirds fell to the Henderson Silver Knights on Wednesday night by the final score of 2-1. Firebirds fall yet again to the last-place Henderson Silver Knights, losing their 4th straight game. Coachella Valley is top 3 in the division but just 1-5 against Henderson this season.
Continue Reading
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) Jack Draper is the 2025 BNP Paribas Open men’s singles champion. 2025 Men's Singles Champion – Jack Draper. @BNPPARIBASOPEN @KESQ #TennisParadise #IndianWells pic.twitter.com/LTVXhRprLE— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) March 16, 2025 Draper dominated No. 12 seed Holger Rune in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Draper gets it done in the desert! The Englishman makes
Continue Reading
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – Mirra Andreeva is the 2025 BNP Paribas Open women’s singles champion. TEEN QUEEN! 
On-court interview with 17-year-old phenom Mirra Andreeva, the 2025 BNP Paribas Open women's singles champion after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in 3 sets. Impressive kid, to say the least. The future is now! @KESQ #TennisParadise #IndianWells pic.twitter.com/IZtc6iwUtG— Blake
PALM DESERT, Calif (KESQ) The Lakes Country Club honored Mike Clifford, who served as the director of golf for the past 39 years. Clifford is set to retire later this year. Mike Clifford whose been the director of golf at the Lakes Country Club for the past 39 years was honored today Clifford will be
Continue Reading