Train frontman Pat Monahan, 'Idol' winner Abi Carter to perform at Firebirds Game Thursday

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read

Soul sisters, are you ready for some hockey? You better be, especially when Train frontman Pat Monahan sings the National Anthem ahead of Thursday's Firebirds game.

Monahan, who is the voice behind songs such as "Drops of Jupiter" and "Marry Me," will perform with his son, Rock, prior to the puck-drop at Acrisure Arena. Additionally, Indio’s "American Idol" winner Abi Carter will have a special performance during the game.

Train vocalist Pat Monahan performs at The American Express in La Quinta, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.
Train vocalist Pat Monahan performs at The American Express in La Quinta, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.

Thursday's contest is Game 4 of the Calder Cup Finals against the Hershey Bears. The Firebirds lead the series 2-1 after winning Game 3 on Tuesday night, 6-2. Game 4 will start at 7 p.m. at Acrisure Arena.

More: How to watch Firebirds vs. Bears in AHL Calder Cup Game 4 on Thursday

It will mark the second time in three home games that the Firebirds will have had a notable national anthem singer add a special dimension to the pre-game festivities.

In the second game of the Western Conference Finals against Milwaukee on May 31, the Firebirds brought out local favorite and newly minted "Idol" winner Carter. The Indio native sang a stirring rendition of the anthem and Firebirds' players and coaches both said after the game that having her there motivated the team as they scored a goal less than a minute into the game and went on to a 3-1 win.

American Idol winner Abi Carter of Indio waves to the crowd before the start of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Friday, May 31, 2024.
American Idol winner Abi Carter of Indio waves to the crowd before the start of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Friday, May 31, 2024.

"It's not very often you get an 'American Idol' winner in the building to sing the national anthem, so, yeah, and she sounded unbelievable and definitely got us going," Kole Lind said after the May 31 game. "I know the boys were fired up on the bench. We were yelling at each other and excited to go. That was obviously a pretty special moment to have her in the building. Glad she came out."

The Firebirds are anticipating a full-capacity crowd for Game 4 and encourage fans to arrive early to enjoy live music on The Patio, food and beverage specials and more. Fans will receive a Western Conference Championship rally towel at the door.

Spectators are asked to be in their seats by 6:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop.

Desert Sun reporter Shad Powers contributed to this report. Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Train's Pat Monahan, 'Idol' winner Abi Carter to perform at Firebirds Thursday

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