Max McCormick sets Firebirds record with 5 points in 8-2 win over San Jose
Max McCormick set a Coachella Valley Firebirds franchise record for most points in a game with five (two goals, three assists) to spark the Firebirds past the San Jose Barracuda 8-2 on Saturday evening.
The Firebirds improved to 2-2 on the season, with both wins coming on the road in the team's second season in the American Hockey League.
The Firebirds scored three times in the opening period. Luke Henman followed up an Andrew Poturalski try on net with his first goal of the year to give Coachella Valley a 1-0 lead 5:18 into the game. Kole Lind was credited with the secondary assist. Max McCormick netted a powerplay goal from Lind to extend the Firebirds’ lead to 2-0 shortly followed by a solid effort by Ryker Evans to make it 3-0.
Shane Wright helped the Firebirds start fast in the second period. Ryan Winterton forced the puck free with a heavy stick lift and fed Wright for his second goal of the season and Winterton’s first professional point. Jacob Melanson finished off a 2-on-1 with McCormick to net his first goal as a pro at 9:10 of the second. Marian Studenic redirected a Connor Carrick wrist shot from the blueline to cash in with his second tally of the season at 11:59.
Coachella Valley capped off their offensive output with two more goals in the third period. McCormick snuck behind the Barracuda defense to make it 7-0. The goal marked McCormick’s fifth point of the game, to set a Firebirds franchise record for most points in a game. Ryan Winterton picked up his first professional goal with a shorthanded breakaway goal at 12:28.
Danil Guschin added two late goals for San Jose before the buzzer sounded.
The Firebirds outshot the Condors 39-35 and finished 1-for-3 on the powerplay. The penalty kill went 2-for-2.
The Firebirds face the Barracuda again on Sunday at 3 p.m. in San Jose.
Coachella Valley returns home seeking its first win this season at Acrisure Arena on 7 p.m. Tuesday against Abbotsford for the Dia de los Muertos game.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Max McCormick sets Firebirds record with 5 points in 8-2 win over San Jose
