Abbotsford Canucks take flight in game one against the San Diego Gulls

JEN FIELD/GATG

January 24, 2026 the Abbotsford Canucks faced off against the San Diego Gulls. These 2 teams matched up last weekend where they split the series. Both teams looked for the sweep this time around. 

Sawyer Mynio returned to the lineup after injury. Jiří Patera also returned to the net after a brief stint up with the big club. While Ty Mueller played his 100th AHL game. 

The game started off strong with both teams battling hard, in the first period. 

San Diego’s Jan Myšák went to the box for tripping at 1:55 in the first, putting Abbotsford on the power play. Despite a number of close calls Abbotsford could not capitalize. 

Ben Berard went to the box at 3:43 for slashing, putting the game 4-on-4 for 12 seconds. San Diego was successful on the penalty kill. 

Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. Again, they came close a few times to a short handed goal, however could not capitalize on the play. 

Both teams battled hard, driving the puck to the opposing zone, looking for the opening goal. 

Jonathan Lekkerimäki would open the scoring at 10:20 in the first, unassisted. This was his tenth goal of the season. 

Patera made a number of incredible saves in the first, keeping the score 1-0 for Abbotsford. 

The second period started strong, with both teams battling hard for the puck. 

San Diego’s Nico Myatovic went to the box at 4:59 for high-sticking, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. San Diego was successful on the penalty kill. 

Jujhar Khaira went to the box at 7:02 for tripping, putting San Diego on the power play. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

San Diego’s Yegor Sidorov tied the game at 9:52 in the second, putting the game 1-1. 

Both teams fought hard for the tie breaking goal in the last half of the second period. The energy and drive favoured San Diego. The physicality ramped up in the last minutes of the period, as both teams looked for the tie breaker. 

Despite their best efforts the period ended 1-1. 

The third period opened with energy and tensions high as both teams continued to battle for the tie breaking goal. 

Vilmer Alriksson broke the tie at 3:28 in the third. The goal was assisted by Chase Wouters and Dino Kambeitz.

Nils Åman went to the box at 5:22 in the third for holding, putting San Diego on the power play. Alriksson went to the box at 6:55 for hooking, putting the game 3-on-5 for San Diego for 27 seconds. 

Abbotsford was successful on the first penalty kill, and would remain successful on the second as well. 

San Diego’s Sidorov went to the box at 10:50 for hooking, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. San Diego was successful on the penalty kill. 

Both teams continued to battle hard. Abbotsford looked to extend their lead, while San Diego looked to tie it back up in the remaining minutes of the game. 

 A delayed penalty went to Victor Mancini for tripping at 15:27 in the third. Giving San Diego the man advantage. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

San Diego pulled their goalie with just over 2 minutes left in the game for the extra attacker. The physicality ramped up in the dying minutes of the game. 

Arshdeep Bains scored on the empty net with 34 seconds remaining. The goal was assisted by Ty Mueller. 

The game ended 3-1 for Abbotsford. 

The Abbotsford Canucks and San Diego Gulls face off again tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm, PST, at Rogers Forum.