Abbotsford Canucks sweep the series against the Ontario Reign

SHAYLENE TIELMANN/GATG

February 16, 2026 marked the second of two games between the Abbotsford Canucks and the Ontario Reign. Abbotsford was coming off a 2-1 victory and looked to sweep the series, while Ontario looked to take the win and split the series. 

The first period started quickly with tensions high as both teams set the pace early for what fans could expect to be a hard fought game. 

Ontario’s Aatu Jämsen opened the scoring at 7:08 in the first, giving them a 1-0 lead. 

Abbotsford continued to fight back, driving the puck into the Ontario zone, looking to tie the game. They had a few chances early on but were unable to capitalize on the plays. 

Despite there being some heavy hits early on, the period remained clean with no penalties called. 

The first period ended 1-0 for Ontario. 

The second period started with a tying goal from Jonathan Lekkerimäki at 38 seconds into the period.

Ben Berard answered back quickly, breaking the tie at 2:22 in the second. The goal was assisted by Nils Åman and Sawyer Mynio. 

The energy in the arena shifted after the second goal. Abbotsford seemed to find their groove, with much of the plays taking place in the Ontario zone. 

Ontario’s Angus Booth went to the box at 5:56 for hooking in the second, putting Abbotsford on the man advantage. Ontario was successful on the penalty kill. 

Åman went to the box at 11:27 for hooking in the second, putting Ontario on the power play. 

Things got chippy between the teams. Jett Woo went to the box for roughing, while Ontario’s Cole Guttman went to the box for slashing at 12:41 in the second. 

Abbotsford was successful on the Åman penalty kill. Both teams were successful on the penalty kills. 

Right in the dying minutes of the last penalty, Arshdeep Bains went to the box for tripping at 14:56 in the second. Ontario’s Glenn Gawdin would capitalize on the power play at 15:28, tying the game. 

Tensions flared as both teams looked for the second tie-breaking goal of the night. Physicality also ramped up sending Danila Klimovich and Ontario’s Samuel Bolduc to the box for cross-checking at 17:19 in the second. 

Both teams were successful on the penalty kills, keeping the game 2-2 to end the second period. 

The third period started with high tensions as both teams looked for the tie-breaking goal early in the third.

Ontario’s Jämsen broke the tie at 3:51 in the third, putting the game 3-2 for Ontario. 

Abbotsford didn’t back down and fought hard to tie the game back up in the first half of the final period. 

Jujhar Khaira tied the game at 6:02 in the third. The goal was assisted by Jimmy Schuldt. 

Both teams continued to battle hard to break the tie once again, in the third. 

Lekkerimäki got his second goal of the night, breaking the tie at 13:28 in the third. The goal was assisted by Ty Mueller and Bains. 

Mueller put the game 5-3 at 16:44 in the third. The goal was assisted by Bains and Woo.  

The physicality ramped up in the dying minutes of the game as Ontario looked to close the gap. 

Ontario pulled their goalie with over 2 minutes left in the third, for the extra attacker. However, they were unable to capitalize with the extra man, and Abbotsford would take the 5-3 win.

The Abbotsford Canucks head on the road for 5 away games; 1 against the Ontario Reign, 2 against the Henderson Silver Knights and 2 against the Calgary Wranglers. 

Their next home game takes place on March 6, 2026 at 7 pm, PST, at Rogers Forum against the Colorado Eagles.