Coachella Valley, CA - The Coachella Valley Firebirds shut out the Calgary Wranglers 2-0 on Saturday night at Acrisure Arena. Goaltender Nikke Kokko [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/jgnhsqsDjjRMjwNLqzgx/comment/ESJnYahF8CYUFT1GrumW?backLinkUrl=%2Fbbs%2Fseattle-kraken%2Fsearch%2Fcomments%3Fq%3Dkokko&backLinkLabel=Back%20to%20search%20results] was perfect between the pipes, stopping all 23 shots he faced to earn his first AHL playoff shutout. Coachella Valley goalie Nikke Kokko arrives on the ice to round out the starting lineup before Game 1 of their first-round playoff series at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Tuesday, April 22, 2025. [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/14ba215c-1f33-46e4-9d61-064a8c400040.jpeg] Coachella Valley goalie Nikke Kokko arrives on the ice to round out the starting lineup before Game 1 of their first-round playoff series at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Mitchell Stephens, who scored his first overtime game-winner for Coachella Valley in Tuesday’s series opener, and John Hayden—both of whom saw NHL action with the Kraken this season—each contributed goals in the win. Hayden sealed the series with an empty-netter on Saturday night. Coachella Valley forward Mitchell Stephens slips a shot by Calgary goalie Waltteri Ignatjew during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Tuesday, April 22, 2025. [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f8e6745d-1abc-41df-99af-54d3c204d9a1.jpeg] Coachella Valley forward Mitchell Stephens slips a shot by Calgary goalie Waltteri Ignatjew during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Kokko, a 2022 NHL Draft pick, has had a standout season. He made his NHL debut with the Seattle Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/tempest-seattle-kraken-ci02e8b238f00025ba?backLinkUrl=%2Fbbs%2Fseattle-kraken%2Fsearch%2Fposts%3Fq%3Dkokko%26domainName%3Dthehockeynews.com%26sortBy%3DbestMatch%26range%3DallTime&backLinkLabel=Back%20to%20search%20results] in February during a road game against the St. Louis Blues, stepping in after head coach Dan Bylsma pulled starter Joey Daccord following the Blues’ fifth goal in the second period. Kokko [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/news/kraken-prospects-update-bchl-showcase-coming-to-kci]earned his shutout in clutch fashion, making three key saves in the final four minutes—none bigger than a deflection stop with 40 seconds left, which he calmly smothered to deny a rebound. The Firebirds have now eliminated the Wranglers from the playoffs for a third straight year—each year in the franchise’s three-season history—and advance to Round Two of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. They’ll face the Abbotsford Canucks in a best-of-five series starting Thursday, May 1, at Acrisure Arena. This marks the first postseason meeting between the teams, with Coachella Valley holding a 3-1-0-0 record against Abbotsford this season and a 12-3-0-1 all-time regular-season advantage. Round Two Series Schedule: Game One – Thursday, May 1st – 7:00 p.m. PT – Acrisure Arena Game Two – Saturday, May 3rd – 6:00 p.m. PT – Acrisure Arena Game Three – Wednesday, May 7th – 7:00 p.m. PT – Abbotsford Centre Game Four* – Friday, May 9th – 7:00 p.m. PT – Abbotsford Centre Game Five* – Sunday, May 11th – 7:00 p.m. PT – Abbotsford Centre Related Philipp Grubauer discusses working with Nikke Kokko in Coachella during his exit interview on April 16, 2025. Firebirds Clinch Playoff Berth And Home Ice Advantage For Round One [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/136c478a-0590-4ba6-a42c-3ffd352d42c9.jpeg] Firebirds Clinch Playoff Berth And Home Ice Advantage For Round One <b>Palm Springs, CA</b> - For the third consecutive season, the<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/latest-news/coachella-valley-firebirds-sign-ollie-josephson-to-ato?backLinkUrl=%2Fbbs%2Fahl%2Fsearch%2Fposts%3Fq%3D%2520Coachella%2520Valley%2520Firebirds%26sortBy%3DbestMatch%26range%3D30&backLinkLabel=Back%20to%20search%20results"> Coachella Valley Firebirds</a> have clinched a spot in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs—securing home-ice advantage for the opening round of the best-of-three series, which begins Tuesday, April 22. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/firebirds-clinch-playoff-berth-and-home-ice-advantage-for-round-one] Stay updated with the most interesting Kraken stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwrODfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] or Join the discussion with others in your hockey community on the Seattle Kraken Forum [https://rtb.thehockeynews.com/seattle-kraken/posts].
