For the fourth consecutive season, every year of the franchise’s existence, the Coachella Valley Firebirds are headed to the playoffs.
With the results of Saturday night’s AHL action, the Firebirds have guaranteed a top seven finish in the Pacific Division standings, which qualifies them for the Calder Cup playoffs.
The Firebirds who are playing Abbotsford on Saturday night, officially clinched earlier in the night when Tucson, the team currently in eighth place lost to Henderson 5-4. With six games left in the season, the Firebirds are now 12 points ahead of the Roadrunners in the standings. And with the Firebirds holding the head-to-head tiebreaker that means Tucson can not catch them.
The Firebirds are currently fourth in the Pacific Division standings, one point behind San Jose for third place and one point ahead of Henderson.
The Firebirds have six games left, with their next game coming Wednesday in a crucial game against Henderson.
Each of the first three years in their history, the Firebirds not only made the playoffs but one at least one series. In 2023 and 2024 they reached the Calder Cup finals, in 2025 they lost in the second round. In all three years they lost to the eventual Calder Cup champion.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley Firebirds clinch playoff berth for fourth straight year
Reporting by Shad Powers, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
