Logan Morrison scored twice as the Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the San Diego Gulls 6–3 at Acrisure Arena on Oct. 9. Morrison’s power-play goal late in the second period broke a 3–3 tie. Coachella Valley scored twice more in the third to finish the win.
How the game unfolded
Ryan Carpenter gave San Diego a first-period lead before the teams combined for six goals in the second. Matthew Phillips and Cruz Lucius scored for the Gulls during that exchange. Morrison put the Firebirds ahead with 18 seconds remaining in the period, then added an empty-net goal late in regulation.
Julius Miettinen earned his first two professional points with a pair of assists. Coachella Valley converted two of five power plays and killed all four San Diego opportunities. Nikke Kokko made 31 saves, while Laurent Brossoit stopped 24 shots for the Gulls.
CSB Take
The Firebirds found the extra offense they needed on special teams and carried a late-period goal into a controlled finish. San Diego generated enough shots to remain competitive, but losing the power-play exchange made that work harder to turn into a result. The Gulls need both disciplined defending and better returns from their own man advantages.
