Abbotsford Canucks battled it out for a win over the San Jose Barracuda

JEN FIELD/GATG

February 7, 2026 marked game 2-of-2 for the Abbotsford Canucks and the San Jose Barracuda. The game the night before was evenly matched throughout the first 40 minutes. However, Abbotsford made some costly mistakes in the last 10 minutes of the game, which led to a 7-3 victory for San Jose. 

Abbotsford looked to battle back after the loss and secure the win on Vancouver Canucks Day. This game highlighted Vancouver Canucks alumni, ranging from pre-game interviews, to mid-game interviews. 

The game started where last night's left off, with tensions and physicality high. Joe Arnsten and Braden Hache dropped gloves at 1:53 in the first, both getting 5 minutes each for fighting.  

Moments later at 5:40 Jett Woo and Shane Bowers dropped gloves, sending them both to the box for fighting.  

San Jose’s Oliver Wahlstrom went to the box at 6:20 for hooking, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. San Jose was successful on the penalty kill. 

Both teams battled hard for the opening goal, driving the puck to the opposing zones and creating plays. Neither side was able to capitalize on the momentum.

Jujhar Khaira went to the box at 12:35 for roughing, giving San Jose their first man advantage. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

Danila Klimovich opened the scoring at 16:08 in the first. The goal was assisted by Victor Mancini and Chase Wouters. 

Tensions remained high in the dying minutes of the first as Abbotsford looked to widen the gap and San Jose looked to tie it up. 

Ty Mueller went to the box at 18:38 for hooking, putting San Jose on the power play. 

The period ended 1-0 for Abbotsford. 

Abbotsford started the second period with 38 seconds remaining on the penalty kill, and would remain successful, keeping the game 1-0.

Tensions and physicality continued to build throughout the start of the second. Much of the game took place in the Abbotsford zone, however, Nikita Tolopilo made some incredible saves, to keep the score 1-0. 

Abbotsford battled hard to get their second goal of the night, while San Jose looked to tie the game. 

Woo went to the box at 11:32 in the second for high-sticking, putting San Jose on the power play. However, at 12:25, San Jose’s Egor Afanasyev went to the box for roughing, putting the game 4-on-4 for 1:07. 

Ty Mueller scored at 12:27 in the second, putting the game 2-0 for Abbotsford. The goal was assisted by Nikolai Knyzhov. 

Abbotsford remained successful on the penalty kill, while capitalizing on the 4-on-4 play. 

San Jose battled hard for their first goal of the game, however, the period ended 2-0 for Abbotsford. 

The third period stated full strength and with both teams looking for goals. Abbotsford looked for their third, while San Jose looked to get on the board. 

A scrimmage broke out in front of the Abbotsford net after a cross-check. San Jose’s Anthony Vincent got a 5 minute major for cross-checking and a 10 minute game misconduct. Kasper Halttunen served  the 5 minute penalty in place of Vincent. 

This put Abbotsford on the power play. Patrick Giles took a slashing penalty at 9:29, putting the game 5-on-3 for Abbotsford. San Jose was successful on their penalty kills, however, Abbotsford had a number of close calls but 93 managed to keep them out. 

San Jose’s Igor Chernyshov got their first goal of the game at 12:54 in the third. 

Khaira went to the box for roughing, while San Jose’s Lucas Vanroboys went to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct at 13:26. The game remained 2-1 for Abbotsford after the 4-on-4. 

Chase Wouters went to the box at 15:39 for slashing. Putting San Jose on the power play. Abbotsford remained successful on the penalty kill. 

San Jose pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, however, they were unable to capitalize. 

After the final buzzer sounded there were some words exchanged between the teams leading to San Jose’s Afanasyev and Chernyshov getting 10 minute unsportsmanlike misconducts. Woo would also get a 10 minute unsportsmanlike misconduct as well. 

Abbotsford secured a 2-1 win over San Jose. This would be their first win against them this season. 

Nikolai Knyzhov talked about the bounce back from the previous game and the shift in momentum going forward stating, “I think just keeping that same energy and mentality that we had the first half of the game, and you know carry that throughout the whole game, all sixty minutes. And the boys do a great job.”

Also when asked about preparing for physical games like this he stated; “I don’t know how you prep. I guess it’s just something you kind of tune into and then just, you know, emotions and instincts take over.”

The Abbotsford Canucks are back in action on February 14, 2026, at 7 pm, PST, at Rogers Forum, where they face off against the Ontario Reign.