For his part, goalkeeper Kokko, aged 20, won his fifth victory of the year – all on the road – against zero defeats. Kokko only faced 21 shots thanks to solid defensive play and Kokko’s ability to prevent rebounds. But Kokko faced at least a half-dozen A-level scoring chances and made four huge saves in the second period and another early in the third that could easily have given Abbotsford the lead. Difficult to choose, but his last-minute save against Danila Klimovich, 2021 second rounder, prevented the Belarusian-born prospect from scoring his fifth goal of the year and sending his teammates and coaches into the second intermission without mentality play from behind.

“He’s a special talent for us,” Firebirds head coach Derek Laxdal said of his goaltender. “He is the future of the Kraken, he is part of the development process; He gave us great minutes in the matches. (Friday night) he looked very composed, with great rebound control. There wasn’t much on the internet. Our defense did a really good job tonight boxing out and playing hard, playing heavy around the net.

Traffic in front of the net, opposing bodies mingling with CVF defenders, is more frequent and more frenetic for Finnish goalkeepers who have played in their country’s top professional league, the Liiga. Kokko played in the Liiga playoffs last spring, making national headlines. With a plan by Firebirds goalie coach Colin Zulianello to work on those situations in practice and ease him into the goalie tandem with Ales Stezka, it’s paying off first fruits as Coachella Valley moves to the upper region of the AHL Western Conference standings.

The 6-foot-3 Kokko is the most gregarious of the three Finnish prospects (2021 fourth-rounder and highly-rated defenseman Ville Ottavainen joked Friday that Kokko “talks a lot” when asked about his command of the English language). Although Kokko was indeed effusive and friendly, he was more than willing to discuss his match on Friday.

“It’s a different league, better, faster and stronger,” Kokko said when asked to compare the competitive level of his first five starts to his star run in Liiga last season.

Although all goaltenders and their defenders must work together to communicate open lanes to create sightlines for the puck on opposing shots, mastering a second language makes things a little more complex. Kokko does not let himself be intimidated: “A lot of traffic (at the crease). I think that’s a really important part of the game here. I need to read it better and in what situations. And yes, the players here give very good shots. »

On the Abbotsford goal, Kokko immediately protested to the referees about the goalie interference, demonstrating a level of confidence that translates to any league. The officials on the ice conferred but allowed the goal to stand. Unlike the NHL, there is no review of goalie interference or offside calls in the AHL.

Laxdal also enjoyed Nyman’s game Friday and praised Nyman’s entire line, center Luke Henman and Firkus on the other wing.

(Nyman) played very well inside,” Laxdal said. “I thought he did a great job grabbing pucks and forechecking, just being heavy. On his goal, he quickly took a shot in a tight space. It was a great pass from Firk coming out of the corner. I liked this sentence tonight. Henman led this line and moved them northward with pace. They did a good job winning puck battles and getting involved in an attacking mentality.

After the game, a smiling Nyman said, “This is my first interview (in English)” to Firebirds radio manager Evan Pivnick (who also serves as the Firebirds’ director of broadcasting and communications) before speaking for a few minutes. . Nyman joined the CVF for five regular season games last fall and nine playoff games, but he didn’t feel comfortable enough with his English to be interviewed. He’s working on it, as his response Friday night on what he’s learned from his AHL experience so far makes clear.

“My (best trait) is my shooting,” said Nyman, who just turned 20 in July and may not be done growing. “But I know I don’t stop moving and fighting. I don’t stand still with the puck.

Nyman stays late after practice to work on his skating: “I want to practice every day and get better. »

As for his roommate, Nyman beamed when asked about Kokko and chauffeur duties, but first wanted to clarify: “We live together (in the Coachella Valley), but every time we go to the hotel, we don’t live together.”

“I’m a good driver,” Nyman said. “I like driving.”

“I mean it’s better if Jani drives,” Kokko said, smiling. “We have a car now. And it’s really nice. In Finland, you can cycle everywhere. Not maybe here. Yeah, I’m a passenger and I play good music. Jani drives really well.

Friday night, they both did.