The Wranglers defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds 5-4 in overtime at Acrisure Arena Sunday, with two goals from Rory Kerins, and singles from Nick Cicek, Martin Frk, and Matvei Gridin.
Calgary didn’t get the start they wanted, conceding on the Firebirds’ first shot courtesy of Ty Nelson.
But Kerins answered back quickly, ripping a shot from the slot past Nikke Kokko, with Gridin picking up the assist.
Just over a minute later, Cicek made it 2-1, getting a tip on a Justin Kirkland feed at the top of the crease.
Coachella Valley levelled the score before the break, with J.R. Avon slipping one past Owen Say late in the frame.
The Firebirds regained the lead early in the second on a powerplay marker from Eduard Sale,.
But Frk responded in trademark fashion, hammering a right-point rocket on a Calgary man-advantage.
It marks his seventh goal in six games, continuing a hot run.
In the third, Gridin put the Wranglers back out front with a slick wrist shot from the right side of the zone.
The Firebirds, however, refused to go quietly; Ben Myers equalized midway through the period to set up a tense finish.
Overtime lasted only long enough for Calgary to pounce.
Kerins buried the winner, taking a loose puck created by a Frk chance to seal the extra-time victory.
Calgary will have two days before they turn around and play the San Jose Barracuda in enemy territory on Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. MT.
By: Annie Nadin
You must be logged in to post a comment.