Wright Scores Twice in Win

All the social media noise about why and how come Shane Wright was loaned to American Hockey League affiliate Coachella Valley for a five-game conditioning loan? The question turned to an exclamation mark in Thursday's Coachella Valley Firebirds win in Calgary.
Wright scored two goals, including the tying goal in a 4-3 comeback win, against a formidable Calgary Wranglers squad that projects to be a playoff contender in the 32-team AHL this season. Wright scored on the power play in the first period and knotted the game at 3-3 mid-third period to put the Firebirds in position to win on a buzzer-beater scored by forward Cameron Hughes with seven seconds remaining in regulation.

The pair of Wright goals displayed the offensive skill set of the 2022 No. 4 overall draft pick. He scored the power play goal on a quick-release wrist shot from the faceoff circle inside the Wranglers zone, set up by defensemen Brogan Rafferty and Jimmy Schuldt. The score qualified statistically as a "response goal," answering Calgary's opening goal within two minutes of play. Wright's shot beat elite prospect goalie Dustin Wolf, who starred for the Western Hockey League Everett Silvertips.
The Firebirds mounted a comeback from 3-1 when NHL-tested John Hayden reduced the margin to one goal later second period and then tied matters when Wright took an outlet sequence from free-agent defenseman Peetro Seppala and D-partner Gustav Olofsson (back from a stint with the Kraken, during which he appeared in one game). Wright pounced on the opportunity to break free in the Calgary zone, scoring his third goal in four shots over AHL games Tuesday and Thursday.
When loaned to Coachella Valley, Kraken GM Ron Francis told Kraken colleague Alison Lukan he wanted Wright to simply have fun, get some ice time and not worry about statistics. Wright appears to be heeding the advice and scoring.
The Firebirds play the AHL San Diego Gulls (Anaheim affiliate) Saturday and then two matchups against the Henderson Silver Knights (Vegas) next week before Wright is eligible to return for the Kraken against Montreal on Dec. 6 at Climate Pledge Arena. The Firebirds are ranked sixth in the 17-team Western Conference, just one standings point behind Calgary.