The Calgary Wranglers (30-20-4-2) wrapped up their four-game homestand with an 8-2 loss to the top team in the Pacific Division, the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary's loss is its 13th in the last 16 games.
Despite the offensive weapons in the lineup, Calgary could not solve Victor Östman, who was making his AHL debut. He finished the night with 23 saves on 25 shots, good enough for a .920 SV%.
The Wranglers opened the scoring, just 34 seconds into the game, when Sam Morton potted his 14th of the season thanks to helpers from Dryden Hunt and William Strömgren.
Meanwhile, Coachella Valley got on the board at 17:06 of the first when Ian McKinnon made it 1-1, the same score at intermission.
Even though the game was close at the break, the Firebirds scored seven in the middle frame, including a Daniel Sprong natural hat trick, to take a stranglehold on the contest.
Moreover, a period of misery didn't officially end until Cooley stopped Tucker Roberston on a penalty shot awarded at the buzzer, as the Firebirds forward failed to convert on a breakaway in the dying seconds.
Although the visitors had a commanding lead, they were relentless in the third, firing 19 shots at Cooley, who was perfect. In relief, he played 29:06, giving up three goals and finishing with 24 saves.
The lone highlight of the final 20 minutes for the Wranglers was Yan Kuznetsov, who fired home a loose puck in the slot to give them their second contest goal and ninth homestand tally.
For the second game in a row, the Wranglers had to pull their starter, as Waltteri Ignatjew, who was brilliant in a 3-2 win to start the home stand on Friday, only made it through 30:30, surrendering five goals and making only 11 saves.
Interestingly, Coachella Valley only had one player score a goal and pick up an assist, Ty Nelson, while 13 players found their way onto the scoresheet with either goals or helpers.
With a win, the Firebirds open up a two-point lead over the Colorado Eagles atop the Pacific Division, while the Wranglers remain in third place. Calgary hits the road for a weekend set against the Manitoba Moose with their series beginning on Saturday night.