CV Firebirds beat San Diego Gulls 6-3 for their first home win of the season

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) - The Coachella Valley Firebirds got their first home win of the 2026-27 season after a high-scoring 6-3 victory over the San Diego Gulls.

San Diego opened the scoring at 7:18 of the first period as Ryan Carpenter gave the Gulls a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.

Coachella Valley responded with four goals in the second period, beginning with Mitchell Stephens' first goal of the season at 2:48. Miettinen picked up his first professional point with an assist on the play, while Caden Price earned the secondary helper. Just 1:26 later, Jani Nyman scored to give the Firebirds a 2-1 advantage, with assists from Ty Nelson and Gustav Olofsson.

Matthew Phillips tied the game for San Diego just 19 seconds later, but Eduard Sale restored Coachella Valley's lead with a power-play goal at 8:12, assisted by J.R. Avon and Nelson.

Cruz Lucius evened the score at 3-3 at 16:01 before Morrison scored on the power play with just 18 seconds remaining in the middle frame. Avon and Miettinen assisted on the go-ahead goal, giving Miettinen his second professional point and sending the Firebirds into the third period with a 4-3 lead.

Avon extended Coachella Valley's advantage early in the third period before Morrison added an empty-net goal late in regulation to secure the 6-3 victory.

Firebirds Goaltender Nikke Kokko Coachella Valley goaltender Nikke Kokko made 31 saves on 34 shots to earn his 40th career AHL victory. The Finnish native joined the Firebirds in the 2024-25 season.

The Firebirds made franchise history Friday, scoring multiple power-play goals for the third consecutive game for the first time in team history.

The Firebirds will host the Ontario Reign on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on the Firebirds all season long.