Abbotsford Canucks secure their first win of the new year against the Calgary Wranglers

JEN FIELD/ GATG

January 10, 2025 the Abbotsford Canucks faced off against the Calgary Wranglers, for their first match up of the new year. The last time these 2 teams played each other, they split the series with overtime games both nights.

Abbotsford looked for their first win of 2026, while Calgary looked for their second win of the new year. 

Ben Berard and Jonathan Lekkerimäki both returned to the lineup after injury. 

Lekkerimäki opened the scoring at 18 seconds into the first with his first shot on net. The goal was assisted by Lukas Reichel and Nils Åman. 

Vilmer Alriksson went to the box at 1:54 for cross-checking, giving Calgary the first man advantage of the game. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

The energy on the ice and in the stands was electric. The physicality was high, but the hits and plays were clean. 

The first period ended 1-0 for Abbotsford. 

The second period started off with the same energy as the first. Abbotsford battled hard to keep the puck in the Calgary zone. 

Cooper Walker scored at 3:26 in the second period, this was his second goal of the season. 

Calgary’s Sam Morton answered back quickly at 4:52 for their first goal of the game. 

An unfortunate turn over led to a 2-on-0 against Jiří Patera, who was able to stop the puck, however, the rebound off the play would find itself the back of the net. The goal was scored by Dryden Hunt at 7:01. 

Both teams continued to battle hard to break the tie. Victor Mancini headed to the box for a slashing penalty at 11:04, putting Calgary on the power play. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

The energy remained high throughout the second, as both teams battled hard for the tie breaking goal. Abbotsford had a number of close chances, but were unable to capitalize on them. 

Calgary's Hunt went to the box for hooking at 15:03, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. Calgary was successful on the penalty kill. 

Patera and Calgary’s Arsenii Sergeev remained walls in the crease. Both goalies made some incredible saves throughout the period. 

The second period ended tied 2-2. 

The third period had both teams continuing to fight for the tie breaking goal. Tensions and physicality were high on both ends in hopes of securing the lead. 

Calgary’s Carter King would secure the tie breaking goal, putting Calgary ahead by 1 at 5:31 in the third. 

Abbotsford’s energy remained high as they battled for the puck to tie the game back up. Nils Åman would be the one to tie the game at 11:13, assisted by Lekkerimäki and Jett Woo. 

Calgary’s Aydar Suniev took a tripping penalty with 1:33 left in the third, giving Abbotsford the man advantage in the dying minutes of the game. 

Despite the man advantage, the game would go into overtime. However, even with the extra minutes and a number of chances on both sides, the game headed to a shootout. 

Abbotsford would get the win with Lekkerimäki and Alriksson scoring the 2 goals in the shootout for the victory. The game ended 4-3 for Abbotsford.  

The Abbotsford Canucks and Calgary Wranglers face off again tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm, PST, at Rogers Forum, for Mystery Night.