The Calgary Wranglers (30-18-4-2) are 1-1 on their current four-game homestand. They open a series with the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Tuesday night, a club they remain tied with in second place in the Pacific Division.
These two teams met just over a week ago (Feb. 22) in California, and the Firebirds skated away with a 4-1 win to improve to 3-1-0-0 on the season against the Wranglers. Coachella Valley has dominated the regular-season matchup in the past five seasons, thanks to a 13-7-0-0 record.
After an 8-4 loss on Saturday night against Abbotsford, the Wranglers are just 1-5-2-2 in their last ten games. Their record is quite different than the Firebirds, who come to the Saddledome with a 7-3-0-0 record in their previous ten, including a 6-5 win over San Diego on Feb. 28.
Between the Pipes
Calgary starter – Devin Cooley
Coachella Valley starter – Nikko Kokko
Conversation Starters
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The Wranglers won a single game in February, but Tuesday night is the first game of March, which means the team has a clean slate. Can they put their troubles behind them and start a new win streak?
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Devin Cooley hasn’t won a game since appearing at the AHL All-Star Classic. Can he rise to the occasion and help the Wranglers snap out of their slump?
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On the weekend, interim head coach Joe Cirella reunited Calgary’s top line of Martin Frk, Rory Kerins, and Dryden Hunt. Considering that the team’s overall production has been down, can these three regain the magic they had when first paired together?
Where Are They Now?
Calgary
Coachella Valley
Wranglers & Firebirds Leaders
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Goals: Rory Kerins (25) / Jani Nyman (25)
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Assists: Dryden Hunt (31) / Max Lajoie (28)
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Points: Martin Frk (49) / Jani Nyman & Ben Meyers (40)
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PIM: Lucas Ciona (65) / Ian McKinnon (96)
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PPG: Rory Kerins (6) / Jani Nyman (8)
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SOG: Dryden Hunt (145) / Jani Nyman (127)
Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. MT and is available on FloHockey.
