FIREBIRDS HOST INAUGURAL PRIDE WEEKEND

Specialty Jerseys, Online Auction, Giveaways, Plaza Events and More Highlight Firebirds First Pride Weekend Presented by McDonald’s

UPDATE January 7, 2023 – GAME RECAP

DACCORD’S THIRD SHUTOUT OF SEASON EXTENDS FIREBIRDS WINNING STREAK TO SEVEN

 Coachella Valley Defeats San Jose on Home Ice for 22^nd Win of Season

PALM DESERT, CA (January 7, 2023) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds), proud affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken), kicked off Pride Weekend by extending their winning streak to seven straight games with a 4-0 win over the San Jose Barracuda. Joey Daccord made 39 saves for his third shutout of the season as Brogan Rafferty, Alexander True, Cameron Hughes, and Carsen Twarynski all netted goals to help the Firebirds move to 22-6-3-0 on the season.

The Firebirds struck first in the contest on a Brogan Rafferty just 4:28 into the game. Ryker Evans and Max McCormick teamed up to feed Rafferty for his fourth goal of the season. Coachella Valley increased their advantage on a powerplay goal at 12:06 from Alexander True. Cameron Hughes directed the puck towards the net and found the stick of True to make it 2-0. The goal was True’s fourth of the season and the secondary assist belonged to Kole Lind.

Coachella Valley continued the scoring in the second period on a rush in the offensive zone. Lind crossed the blue line and passed the puck to True, who then found Hughes for the 3-0 lead at 9:18.

Carsen Twarynski redirected a Matt Tennyson shot in the third period to cash in for the fourth and final goal for the Firebirds. The secondary helper on Twarynski’s seventh of the season was awarded to Luke Henman.

Joey Daccord stopped all 39 shots he faced in the victory and the Firebirds put 31 shots on Barracuda netminder Eetu Makiniemi. Coachella Valley went 1-for-3 on the powerplay and finished 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Read the game’s full box score HERE.

NEXT GAME: The Firebirds wrap up the Pride Weekend with an afternoon tilt against the Ontario Reign at Acrisure Arena tomorrow, Sunday, January 8^th. Puck drop is set for 3pm.

ORIGINAL STORY

PALM DESERT, CA – The Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds), proud affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken), are hosting their inaugural Pride Weekend this Saturday, January 7^th and Sunday, January 8^th presented by McDonald’s. Puck drop for Saturday night is scheduled for 6pm while Sunday’s contest will begin at 3pm.

Your Coachella Valley Firebirds….

VS SAN JOSE BARRACUDA on Saturday, January 7 at 6:00PM PT.

VS ONTARIO REIGN on Sunday, January 8 at 3PM PT.

Individual game tickets are now on sale for all Firebirds home games for the 2022 – 2023 season and start at just $19!  Additional ticket options for Pride weekend include group tickets for 10 ore more starting at $18 and the Firebirds Flex Plan starting at $20 featuring six or 12 tickets that can be used for any home game during the 2022-2023 season at Acrisure Arena.

The Firebirds will don special Pride jerseys for both games that will be available for an online auction using the DASH Auction app. Proceeds from the online jersey auction will benefit youth LGBTQ+ organizations in the Coachella Valley.

The weekend will also feature in-game Pride elements with support from female and male impersonators, educational messaging, and LGBTQ+ puck drop ambassadors Asher Bisgaard of Palm Springs Pride (Sat) and KESQ News Channel 3 anchor Peter Daut (Sun).

The weekend will also include fan giveaways featuring Pride-themed Firebirds flag on Saturday and Pride-themed Firebirds sticker on Sunday. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pride Fest on the Plaza will take place both days starting two hours prior to puck drop. Events including live music from KGAY DJs Galaxy on Saturday and ModGirl on Sunday along with a festive photo ops, food and drink specials in the Acrisure Arena Beer Garden, vendor booths and more.