Second period proves to be Wranglers' undoing as Firebirds roll to 8-2 victory

The Wranglers lost for the 11th time in 12 games Wednesday night, dropping an 8-2 decision to the Coachella Valley Firebirds. (Photo: X@AHLWranglers)

The roof caved in on the Wranglers in the second period en route to an 8-2 loss to the Firebirds at the Saddledome.

Coachella Valley erupted for seven second-period goals, sending goaltender Walteri Ignatjew to the showers early.

Sam Morton and Yan Kuznetsov scored for the Wranglers, while Dryden Hunt picked up an assist, giving him six points in his last five games.

Daniel Sprong scored the final three goals for the Firebirds, Ian McKinnon added two and the club got singles from Mitchell Stephens, John Hayden and Ty Nelson.

For his efforts, Sprong was named the AHL’s first star of the night.

For the Wranglers, it was their 11th loss in their past 12 games.

They’re sitting in third place in the Pacific Division with 66 points, while the Firebirds are first with 70 points. Colorado is two ahead of the Wranglers at 68 and the Ontario Reign are one behind at 65.

Next up for the suddenly slumping Wranglers is a road trip to Winnipeg, to take on the Moose in back-to-back games.

They face off Saturday at 1 p.m. MT at Canada Life Centre.

Thursday morning, defencemen Ilya Solovyov was assigned to the Wranglers by the Calgary Flames.