Abbotsford Canucks fall in overtime to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in final home game

JEN FIELD/GATG

April 4, 2026 marked the final home game for the Abbotsford Canucks. They faced off against the Coachella Valley Firebirds for game 2-of-2. Coachella took game 1 in a 2-0 victory, Abbotsford looked to fight back and split the series to finish with a win on home ice. 

Ty Young got the start in the final home game of the season after Jiří Patera was recalled by the Vancouver Canucks under emergency conditions. 

The first period started strong with both teams battling hard to get a goal early in the game. The energy on the ice and in the stands was electric. 

Coachella’s Tyson Jugnauth went to the box at 5:41 in the first for cross-checking, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. Coachella was successful on the penalty kill. 

Though the physicality of the game was high, the hits and game play were clean. Both teams battled hard for the opening goal, Abbotsford came close a number of times throughout the first. 

Despite their best efforts the first period ended 0-0. 

The second period started with the same energy, both teams looking to get a point on the board. 

Coachella’s Carson Rehkopf opened the scoring at 6:21 in the second. 

Bennett Schimeck answered back at 9:45 in the second tying the game 1-1. 

Both teams looked for the pull ahead goal, battling hard and driving the puck into the opposing zone. 

Ben Berard broke the tie at 11:58 in the second, assisted by Nils Åman and Schimek. 

The energy on the ice began to shift after the second goal, Coachella battling hard to tie the game back up, as Abbotsford looked to pull ahead by two. 

The second period ended 2-1 for Abbotsford. 

The third period started quickly, Abbotsford driving the puck into the Coachella zone looking for their third goal of the night. 

Coachella’s J.R. Avon fought hard and tied the game at 3:12 in the third.  

The energy in the building was electric throughout the final period as both teams battled for the go ahead goal. 

Coachella’s Kaden Hammell got a double minor at 15:40 for high-sticking, giving Abbotsford the man advantage in the remaining minutes of the game. Coachella was successful on the penalty kill. 

Despite best efforts the game would go into overtime. Coachella’s Jugnauth scored at 1:20 into OT, giving them the 3-2 victory. 

The Abbotsford Canucks head out on the road for their remaining 4 games of the season, taking on the Calgary Wranglers, Ontario Reign, and one final matchup against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.