Sports
Hayden scores late to give Firebirds 2-1 win over Colorado
PALM DESERT, CA (November 4, 2026) – Coachella Valley Firebirds captain John Hayden scored the game-winning goal with just nine seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Firebirds to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday night at Acrisure Arena. Goaltender Nikke Kokko made 27 saves to help Coachella Valley secure its second consecutive victory and improve to 5-4-2-1 on the season.
Colorado opened the scoring at 17:09 of the first period as Gavin Brindley gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead. The Firebirds responded just 1:18 into the second period when Eduard Sale scored his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Gustav Olofsson and Ty Nelson, to tie the game at one.
The two teams remained deadlocked throughout the remainder of the second period and nearly all of the third before Hayden broke through at 19:51, scoring the game-winning goal off a faceoff win from Ryden Evers to send the Firebirds to a dramatic victory on home ice.
Hayden's goal marked the second-latest regulation game-winning goal in Firebirds franchise history. The record belongs to Cameron Hughes, who scored with just seven seconds remaining in regulation on November 24, 2022, against the Calgary Wranglers in the franchise's sixth game.
Coachella Valley went 0-for-3 on the powerplay and successfully killed off Colorado's lone powerplay opportunity. The Firebirds and Eagles each finished the game with 28 shots.
The Firebirds now head to Tucson for a two-game series against the Roadrunners on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7. Both games are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PT.
(Photo: Brandon Magpantay / Coachella Valley Firebirds)
By: NBC Palm Springs
November 4, 2026
Coachella Valley FirebirdsAHLLocal SportsJohn HaydenDerek LaxdalNikke KokkoPacific Division
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