Abbotsford Canucks still looking to find their groove, as they fall to the Bakersfield Condors

SHAYLENE TIELMANN/GATG

January 7, 2026 marked the Abbotsford Canucks fifth annual Hockey Talks night. The night focused on breaking the stigma around mental health in the world of hockey. 1 in 5 Canadians will face some form of mental illness within the year, while 1 in 3 Canadians will have some form of mental health crisis in their lifetime.  

The Abbotsford Canucks faced-off against the Bakersfield Condors, who were coming off a 5-3 win, after last night's matchup. Abbotsford out shot Bakersfield 39-18 in last night's game and looked to translate their shots on goal to pucks in the net, in the upcoming game. 

Despite Abbotsford’s unconventional lineup last night, they held their own, and played hard throughout the entire 60 minutes of game play. 

Zach Okabe made his Abbotsford Canucks debut after being called up from the ECHL. Nils Åman and Lukas Reichel returned to the line up after missing last night's game. Putting the roster back into full swing. 

Reichel was selected to be part of Germany’s Olympic men’s hockey team in the upcoming Milano  Cortina 2026 Winter Games. While Okabe was selected to be a part of the ECHL’s All-Star Classic.

Tonight marked captain Chase Wouters 300th game, he is the first player in franchise history to play all 300 AHL games with the Abbotsford Canucks.  

The game started with high energy on both sides but it was Bakersfield’s Beau Akey who opened the scoring at 2:50 in the first period. 

Abbotsford continued to battle hard to bring the puck up the ice and tie up the game. However, Bakersfield’s Josh Samanski got the second of the night at 5:36, putting the game 2-0. 

Despite the early goals the energy and determination stayed high, as Abbotsford looked to close the gap and put themselves on the board. 

A struggle that hindered Abbotsford’s game play was dropped and incomplete passes and turnovers, throughout the first. 

Joe Arntsen and Bakersfield’s Connor Clattenburg dropped gloves at 9:55 in the first, sending them both to the box for fighting.

Victor Mancini took a cross-checking penalty at 11:16, giving Bakersfield the man advantage. Quinn Hutson capitalized on the 5-on-4, putting the game 3-0 at 12:15 in the first. 

Wouters and Bakersfield’s Tyson Feist dropped gloves at 13:27, sending both to the box for fighting. 

The first period ended 3-0 for Bakersfield. 

The second period began much like the first both teams battling hard for the puck. Abbotsford looked to put some points on the board, while Bakersfield looked to gain a wider gap. 

Bakersfield’s Tyler Inamoto took a holding penalty at 6:46 in the second, giving Abbotsford their first power play of the night. Bakersfield was successful on the penalty kill. 

Similar to the first period, turn overs and incomplete passes hindered Abbotsford’s game play. 

Bakersfield’s Roby Järventie went to the box at 13:29 for hooking, putting Abbotsford on the power play. Wouters capitalized on the man advantage at 14:04 in the second. The goal was assisted by Åman and Reichel. This was Åman’s fiftieth assist. 

Mancini went to the box at 17:23 for tripping, putting Abbotsford on the penalty kill. Bakersfield was unable to capitalize on the man advantage. 

The second period ended 3-1 for Bakersfield. 

Abbotsford came out strong in the third, getting a number of close calls in the opening minutes of the period. 

Abbotsford pulled their goalie for the extra attacker with over 10 minutes left in the third, however, Bakersfield’s Daniel D’Amato took a slashing penalty at 9:22, putting Abbotsford on the power play. Bakersfield remained successful on the penalty kill. 

Abbotsford pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, with just over 3 minutes left in the third period. Bakersfield’s Seth Griffith would capitalize on the empty net at 17:16, putting the game 4-1. 

Despite their hard fought efforts, Abbotsford would fall in their second game against Bakersfield, with a 4-1 loss. 

The Abbotsford Canucks are back in action again this weekend, January 10 and 11, to face off against the Calgary Wranglers. Saturday, January 10, is Flaunt Your Flannel, the game takes place at 7 pm, PST, while Sunday, January 11, is Mystery Night, taking place at 3 pm, PST, at Rogers Forum.