Abbotsford Canucks beginning to find their groove

JEN FIELD/GATG

On October 29, the Abbotsford Canucks played their second game against the Calgary Wranglers and were looking for a win after a tough loss the night before.

Jiří Patera started in net for the fourth time this season. Nils Åman was back in the Abbotsford lineup after time up with the Vancouver Canucks.

The game started with high energy, with Abbotsford driving the puck into the Calgary zone searching for an early scoring opportunity. 

Nikolai Knyzhov took a high-sticking penalty at 4:12 in the first period, giving Calgary the first man advantage of the night. 

Abbotsford came close to a short handed goal but Ivan Prosvetov remained a wall in the net. They were successful on the first penalty kill of the night, keeping the score 0-0. 

Both teams battled hard throughout the first period, driving the puck into the opposing zone and putting up shots. 

Calgary’s Nick Cicek took their first penalty of the game at 9:47 in the first for holding. Sawyer Mynio took advantage of the power play, opening the scoring at 10:07. The goal was assisted by Nils Åman and Vitali Kravtsov. 

This would be Mynio’s second goal of the season. He spoke after the game about the adjustment it has been for him coming into the American Hockey League from the Western Hockey League. “I think the size and speed, obviously [there’s] a lot of men out here. Everyone’s in their, at least, twenties and thirties, so it's a big jump playing [with] sixteen year olds to grown men.”

He has been holding his own on the ice, being trusted in crucial moments of the game and racking up playing time. 

The energy stayed high with both teams continuing to battle for the puck. Abbotsford looked to widen the score, while Calgary looked to tie the game. 

The first period would end 1-0 for Abbotsford. 

Both teams started the second battling hard. Abbotsford looked like they had started to find their groove. Though turnovers and dropped passes killed momentum on both sides, the team was beginning to find its rhythm.  

Joe Arntsen took a hooking penalty at 11:33 in the second. Giving Calgary their second power play of the night. Abbotsford battled hard on the defensive and remained 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. 

The game continued to move at a quick pace with low penalty minutes and intense game play. Both goalies put in the work to keep the game within 1. 

The second period would end 1-0 for Abbotsford. 

Abbotsford had a number of chances early in the third period to widen the scoring, but Prosvetov held them off. 

Calgary’s Daniil Miromanov tied the game 1-1 at 7:38 in the third. This didn’t stop either team from battling hard to break the tie. 

The third period would end tied 1-1 sending the game into overtime. 

Both teams battled hard throughout overtime, with a number of chances to score but neither team was able to capitalize. 

This pushed the game to the first shoot out of the Abbotsford season. Calgary’s Matvei Gridin would score the winning shot. Ending the game 2-1 for Calgary. 

Though the end result was not what the team wanted, their development as a team was noticeable. 

The Abbotsford Canucks next home game is Saturday, November 1 at 7 pm, PST, against the Henderson Silver Knights.