Barracuda rally falls short in Coachella Valley | Pro Hockey News

PALM DESERT, Calif. – The San Jose Barracuda (15-9-1-1) was unable to complete a third-period comeback on Wednesday evening, falling 4-2 to the Coachella Valley Firebirds (14-7-3-0) at Acrisure Arena. San Jose erased two separate deficits to tie the game midway through the third period, but Coachella Valley pulled away late with the go-ahead goal and an empty-netter to secure the win.

The Firebirds opened the scoring at 4:42 of the first period John Hayden (7) tucked in a loose puck that fell behind Gabe Carriere after Eduard Sale hit the post, giving Coachella Valley a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. The second period was scoreless as the Barracuda generated chances but were put aside by the goalkeeper Nikke Kokko.

San Jose broke through early in the third with a five-on-three power play, as Oliver Wahlstrom (7) defeated Kokko at 1:01 on the stickside. The Firebirds answered at 5:40 am Mitchell Stephens (4) restored the lead, but the Barracuda responded again with another man-advantage goal, this time on away Philip Bystedt (7) at 11:00, making the score 2-2. Coachella Valley regained the lead for good at 4:44 p.m Oscar Fisker Molgaard (5) scored the eventual game winner with Logan Morrison (12) adding an empty net goal at 6:40 pm to end the 4–2 final.

Kokko made 38 saves on 40 shots to earn the first star, while Carriere stopped 26 of 29 shots for San Jose.

BOX SCORE

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