It was an enormous weekend for the Abbotsford Canucks, who picked up three of a potential 4 factors towards the Calgary Wranglers.
Nikita Tolopilo acquired the beginning between the pipes tonight following Jiří Patera’s excellent efficiency the night time earlier than, squaring off towards Connor Murphy on the different finish. Up entrance, Joseph Labate slotted in at centre between Vilmer Alriksson and Dino Kambeitz, whereas Phip Waugh paired with Joe Arntsen on the blue line to spherical out the lineup modifications.
Abbotsford got here out sturdy, setting the tone early. Just below 4 minutes in, Jonathan Lekkerimäki weaved by the defence and buried a shot from the slot to offer the Canucks a 1–0 lead. The guests then confronted some adversity, killing off a number of penalties as Tolopilo and the defensive core stood tall to maintain the Wranglers off the board.
The depth ramped up when Jett Woo dropped the gloves with Andrew Basha, firing up each benches and the group. Late within the body, Rory Kerrins took a tripping penalty, and the Canucks capitalized. After a transparent try by Calgary, Tolopilo moved the puck to Victor Mancini, who went coast to coast and scored simply 18 seconds into the facility play to make it 2–0. Calgary earned a person benefit of their very own, however Abbotsford held agency, carrying the two-goal lead into the intermission.
Whereas the second interval noticed no change on the scoreboard, it was filled with chaos. After Woo returned from his misconduct, Alex Gallant clipped him, leading to a five-minute main. Moments later, Labate and Nick Cicek dropped the gloves, every incomes combating majors. Issues escalated additional when Alriksson and Parker Bell had been additionally tossed for combating in the course of the scrum. Cicek was assessed an instigator and misconduct, giving Abbotsford a prolonged 5-on-3 alternative, however the Wranglers managed to outlive, sending the sport to the third with the Canucks nonetheless up 2–0.
Calgary got here out flying within the closing body. Daniil Miromanov acquired the Wranglers on the board just below two minutes in, and Clark Bishop tied it eight minutes later. Solely 30 seconds after that, Kerrins struck once more to offer Calgary its first lead of the night time at 3–2.
The Canucks refused to go quietly. With underneath 4 minutes remaining, Chase Wouters tipped residence a feed from Lekkerimäki to drive additional time for the second straight night time.
Within the additional body, Calgary managed a lot of the possession, although Nils Åman got here near ending it for Abbotsford with a harmful likelihood. In the end, it was Cicek who sealed the sport for the Wranglers with 45 seconds left in additional time.
The Canucks fell 4–3, however capped off a powerful weekend effort—incomes three of 4 factors towards a tricky divisional opponent.
