CANUCKS WIN STREAK ENDS IN CALGARY WITH A 3-1 LOSS TO THE WRANGLERS
For the third time this season, the Abbotsford Canucks faced off with the Calgary Wranglers on Saturday afternoon, this time from the Scotiabank Saddledome.
John Stevens returned from injury, sliding in with Sheldon Dries and Vasily Podkolzin, while Aidan McDonough lined up with last weekend’s Overtime and Shootout heroes, Jack Studnicka and Tristen Nielsen. Jeremy Colliton kept the Aatu Räty, Max Sasson and Linus Karlsson line together, while Josh Bloom and Marc Gatcomb flank Chase Wouters. Quinn Schmiemann and Jett Woo were paired up for the first time this season, while Matt Irwin and Filip Johansson continue their consistent partnership. Chad Nychuk made his AHL season debut alongside Alex Kannok Leipert, with Artūrs Šilovs making his fifth start in six games in net.
Dustin Wolf would get the start in Calgary’s goal, and would prove to be the busier of the two netminders in the opening frame.
Abbotsford outshot the Wranglers 10-1 in the opening 12 minutes, and 13-5 throughout the entire first period, however neither side could break through and find the opener. It remained 0-0 as the two sides broke for the locker rooms in the first intermission.
The Wranglers wouldn’t wait long to open the scoring in the middle frame, as Matt Coronato beat Šilovs with some traffic in front. His effort from the left faceoff circle would be his sixth of the season, and giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Linus Karlsson would soon reply back for the Canucks, as a Filip Johansson slapshot would go off of a Wrangler’s skate and deflect to Karlsson at the back post. Karlsson would bury the puck past a sliding Wolf, and level the game at 1-1 just three minutes later.
Calgary thought they took a late lead after a Brady Lyle shot got deflected by Rory Kerins to beat Šilovs down low. After a review by the officials, it was deemed goaltender interference in front of Šilovs with heavy traffic, keeping the score level.
It would remain 1-1 deep into the third period, as Overtime loomed in the Saddledome. With just over three minutes remaining, Rory Kerins would get on the scoresheet once again as he spun and fired an effort over the shoulder of Šilovs. This time, his goal would stand, giving Calgary a late lead.
Dryden Hunt would grab an empty net goal to secure the win for the Wranglers, snapping Abbotsford’s five game win streak with a 3-1 showing on Saturday afternoon.
The Canucks outshot Calgary 42-26, with Aatu Räty picking up his fourth point in four games thanks to a secondary assist on Karlsson’s goal. Šilovs stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced, while Wolf turned aside 41 of Abbotsford’s 42 attempts.
The two sides will faceoff again in Calgary on Sunday afternoon, then Abbotsford will return home for a pair of home games against Laval on December 1st and 2nd, including Teddy Bear Toss on December 2nd. The following week, the Canucks will welcome the Coachella Valley Firebirds to Abbotsford Centre on December 8th and 9th for their second series of the season. The team then flies out for a three game road trip, stopping in Coachella Valley and then Tucson for a pair of games, before their final home games of 2023 against Ontario on December 20th and 21st.
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