Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Cameron Hughes (#19) celebrates his go ahead goal against the San Jose Barracuda during the Firebirds 3-1 win at Acrisure Arena on Thursaday APR 3, 2024. (Coachella Valley Firebirds)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Coachella Valley Firebirds scored three unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 3-1 on Thursday evening at Acrisure Arena.

San Jose has lost four of its last four games. Coachella Valley has won four of its past five games and sits comfortable in first place in the Pacific Division with 91 points.

Neither team was able to put a dent on the scoreboard in a goal-less first period. Despite Coachella Valley having two power play opportunities and San Jose had one, both team’s goalies Georgi Romanov and Chris Driedger had clean slates in the opening frame that featured both teams have 11 shots on goal.

San Jose’s (21-33-9-3-54 points) fourth line drew first blood early in the second period. Anthony Vincent found Jeremie Bucheler in the right slot. Bucheler’s wrist show was redirected off the post and into the back fo the net by Tanner Kaspick for his sixth goal of the season at the 4:53 mark. The goal snapped a 14-game goal-less skid for Kaspick.

Coachella Valley (41-14-5-4-91 points) dominated the middle frame, but Romanov had another stellar period stopping all 15 shots the Firebirds peppered him with. Romanov did receive help from his two best friends: the posts, late in the period when the Firebirds were on the power play, including 30 seconds of 5-on-3 play. Two different Firebirds hit the post in less than a minute span.

The Firebirds finally broke through on its 33rd shot of the game early in the third period with an even strength goal. Jacob Melanson skate in from the left slot and beat Romanov with a wrist shot falling down to the ice for his sixth goal of the season at the 6:49 mark.

Coachella Valley gained its first lead at the halfway point of the final frame moments after its fifth power play opportunity had expired. Villa Ottavainen’s shot from the left point was tipped past Romanov by Cameron Huges for his 23rd goal of the season at the 10:02 mark.

Kole Lind iced the game for the Firebirds with an insurance goal with two minutes remaining left in the game. Cale Fleury set up Lind with a stretch pass out to the neutral zone. Lind skated in and beat Romanov with a wrist shot through the five-hole for his 16th goal of the season.

Driedger (22-6-5-4) stopped 34 of 35 shots he faced to earn his 22nd win of the season. Romanov (8-9-7), who deserved a better fate as he kept the ‘Cuda in the game with big save after big save, made 39 saves on 42 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Coachella Valley was 0-for-5.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its five-game road trip in Ontario as the take on the Reign on Saturday 4/6 at 6:00pm at Toyota Arena.