Nik Brouillard scored twice in the first period on Friday to help the Coachella Valley Firebirds overcome an early deficit and claim a 3-1 road win over the Henderson Silver Knights.
The win moves the Firebirds to 36-23-2-5 and keeps Coachella Valley in fourth place in the American Hockey League’s Pacific Division with six games remaining in the regular season.
The Firebirds can clinch a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs with a win Saturday in Henderson.
After falling behind on a goal by Henderson's Jonas Røndbjerg, Coachella Valley evened the score on a shot by Brouillard from the left circle that leaked through goaltender Carl Lindbom. The goal was Brouillard’s sixth of the season, came at the 17:52 mark of the first period and was assisted by Ryan Winterton and Charlie Wright. Winterton was playing just 48 hours after suiting up for the Firebirds NHL affiliate, the Seattle Kraken.
Brouillard struck again 38 seconds later. Brandon Biro and Ben Meyers set up the play and found Brouillard at the back post for his second goal of the game.
The Firebirds extended their lead late in the second period on David Goyette’s sixth goal of the season. Max Lajoie and Mitchell Stephens moved the puck to Goyette who ripped home the puck from the slot at 18:32.
Netminder Nikke Kokko stopped 18 of 19 shots to improve his record to 19-9-1 this season. Kokko has now held his opponents to two or fewer goals in eight of his last nine games.
Coachella Valley’s powerplay finished 0-for-2, but the Firebirds’ penalty kill went 3-for-3.
The Firebirds outshot the Silver Knights 21-19. Coachella Valley has now outshot their opponents in 12 consecutive games.
Friday's game marked the AHL debut of forward Oscar Mølgaard, the second-round pick of the Kraken in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Mølgaard Will be available for the Firebirds for the remainder of the season.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Firebirds top Silver Knights to take step closer to postseason berth