Cameron Hughes scored the first goal at Acrisure Arena and assisted on two others as the Coachella Valley Firebirds built a three-goal lead and hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners Sunday evening.
On the game-winning goal, Evans took a pass from Cameron Hughes and put a shot from the left faceoff circle past Gillies for his second goal of the season and first since Oct. 23. Jesper Froden was credited with the other assist.
The Coachella Valley Firebirds skated on the ice at Acrisure Arena for the first time, a milestone that began a week of events to mark the venue’s opening.
To celebrate the opening of the arena, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 14. Additionally, a Berger Foundation Iceplex Skating Exhibition will be held at 12:15 p.m.
Callum Booth made 38 saves and the Coachella Valley Firebirds killed all five of the Calgary Wranglers’ power-play opportunities in a 5-3 victory Saturday in Seattle.
The game was the Firebirds’ second of four in the Seattle area. Because Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms is under construction, the Firebirds will begin the season by playing 18 road games and four in the Seattle area before their first home game on Dec. 18.
