Silver Knights' Skid Continues Despite Power Play Spark and Veteran Effort
Sometimes, it only takes one miscue to flip the momentum - and for the Henderson Silver Knights, that moment came late in the second period Friday night.
Dylan Coghlan, backpedaling along the blue line, attempted a routine pass to Jaycob Megna. Instead, the puck slipped off his stick and trickled into dangerous territory. Henderson goaltender Cameron Whitehead scrambled to make the initial stop, but the rebound landed on the stick of Coachella Valley’s Jagger Firkus, who made no mistake from point-blank range.
That goal gave the Firebirds a 3-2 lead and summed up a frustrating night at Lee’s Family Forum. Despite flashes of strong play - especially from the veterans and special teams - the Silver Knights dropped a tight 4-3 decision to Coachella Valley, extending their losing streak to four games.
Veteran Core Keeps Battling
Even with the costly turnover, Coghlan was one of Henderson’s most impactful players. The 27-year-old blueliner continued his recent scoring surge with two goals, giving him five in his last three games. His offensive instincts and shot placement were on full display, especially with traffic in front of the net.
“We got bodies in front,” Coghlan said. “That’s what happens - you get screens, and we’re able to place the puck. Not just myself - we’ve got a bunch of good shooters on this team.”
Jérémy Davies also made his presence felt from the back end. The veteran defenseman notched three assists, pushing his career AHL point total to 201. His vision and poise with the puck added another layer to Henderson’s attack and served as a reminder of how valuable his experience is to this group.
“It’s pretty cool,” Davies said of reaching the 200-point milestone. “It’s a great group of guys, really good coaching staff.
Love my time here so far. Be nice to start getting some wins - that’s what we’re gonna focus on for tomorrow.”
Special Teams Shine in Tough Loss
While the final score didn’t go their way, the Silver Knights found success on special teams - an area that’s quietly been a strength during this rough patch.
The power play, which entered the night operating at 20%, delivered again, going 2-for-4 and generating consistent zone time. The puck movement was sharp, and the shot selection created high-danger chances throughout the night.
“Special teams have been pretty good all year,” Coghlan said. “I think the five-on-five part has been good lately, so just trying to be positive and work through it.”
The penalty kill held up its end as well, shutting down all three of Coachella Valley’s man-advantage opportunities. That kind of discipline and execution is something the Silver Knights can build on, even as they search for answers at even strength.
“Special teams are a big part of the game,” Davies added. “You go through ups and downs - you get cold, you get hot - but right now it’s been pretty good, so I’m pretty proud of that.”
Looking Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it - a four-game skid stings, especially when the team is getting contributions from its veteran core and special teams are clicking. But the margin for error in the AHL is razor thin, and Henderson found that out the hard way Friday night.
They’ll get another crack at the Firebirds on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT, with a chance to right the ship and turn solid individual efforts into a complete team win.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together.