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Shane Wright's OT goal finishes off Firebirds' comeback win

matt solinsky, palm springs desert sun
·2 min read
Coachella Valley forward Shane Wright (51) gets ready to face off with Hershey forward Mason Morelli (11) during the first period of Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Shane Wright scored on the powerplay in overtime to secure a 5-4 comeback road victory for the Coachella Valley Firebirds over the San Jose Barracuda on Sunday.

The Barracuda got off to an early 2-0 lead thanks to a powerplay goal by Brandon Coe and an even strength tally from Justin Bailey.

Coachella Valley cut the San Jose lead to 2-1 with a Kole Lind wrist shot for his second goal of the season. Marian Studenic and Cale Fleury earned the assists at 8:19 of the first period. San Jose responded on a Leon Gawanke goal to regain their two-goal lead.

Connor Carrick rifled a shot into the back of the net from the blueline halfway through the second period to pull the Firebirds within a goal. Gustav Olofsson and Ryan Winterton had assists on Carrick’s first goal as a Firebird at 10:56 of period two.

The Firebirds tied the game 5:30 into the third period after Wright fluttered the puck to the crease from behind the net, landing on the stick of Ryan Winterton to make it 3-3. The goal was Winterton’s second in as many games and the secondary assist belonged to Cameron Hughes.

San Jose regained the lead on a net-mouth scramble, but the Coachella Valley found the equalizer with a powerplay goal. The Barracuda were whistled for a delay of game penalty after Cole Cassels lifted the puck over the glass. Logan Morrison and Cameron Hughes teamed up to feed Andrew Poturalski for his first goal of the season, tying the game with 2:25 left in regulation, forcing overtime.

Coachella Valley went to another man-advantage in overtime leading to a 4-on-3 chance for the Firebirds. Poturalski found Wright at the top of the circle who lasered the puck past Barracuda netminder Georgi Romanov and seal the comeback for the Firebirds. The goal was Wright’s second of the season.

The Firebirds were outshot by the Barracuda 31-29 and finished 2-for-4 on the powerplay. The penalty kill went 3-for-4. With the win, Coachella Valley moves to 3-2 on the season.

Coachella Valley returns home seeking its first win this season at Acrisure Arena on 7 p.m. Tuesday against Abbotsford in the Dia de los Muertos game.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Shane Wright's OT goal finishes off Firebirds' comeback win