Abbotsford Canucks: The start of something new

JEN FIELD/GATG

December 20, 2025 marked the Abbotsford Canucks final home game of the year. They secured the first win against the Tucson Roadrunners yesterday in their 2 game series, and looked to secure a second win. 

Jiří Patera started in net for game 2. The game picked up where it left off last night with strong game play on both sides. However, much of the opening minutes were spent in the Tucson zone. 

Tucson’s Austin Poganski took a tripping penalty at 3:33 in the first period. Giving Abbotsford the first man advantage of the game. Tucson was successful on the penalty kill. 

Moments later Ty Mueller went to the box for tripping at 5:27 in the first. Putting Abbotsford on the defensive, they were successful on the penalty kill. 

Both teams continued to battle hard in the first period as they looked for the opening goal. Despite their best efforts the first period ended 0-0. 

Off the draw in the second period Tucson came out strong and had a few close calls to open the scoring. Patera, however, was a wall in net and kept the pucks out. 

Chase Wouters for the second game in a row opened the scoring. The goal was scored at the 5 minute mark in the second period and assisted by Joe Arntsen. 

Less than a minute later Sawyer Mynio scored, assisted by Jackson Kunz and Dino Kambeitz at 6:02 in the second. 

Kambeitz and Tucson’s Dimitri Simashev dropped gloves at 6:21 both taking a 5 minute major for fighting. 

The energy on the ice and the arena picked up half way through the second. Both teams battled hard, Abbotsford looking for their third goal of the period, while Tucson looked to get a point on the board. 

Right as the 5 minute major died out, Arshdeep Bains went to the box for slashing at 11:49. Putting Abbotsford on the defensive, they were successful on the penalty kill. 

Jujhar Khaira and Tucson’s Kevin Connauton dropped gloves at 17:50 both taking 5 minute majors for fighting. 

The second period ended 2-0 for Abbotsford, lifting the atmosphere and shifting the energy of the game. 

Much like the second, the third period started heavily in the Abbotsford zone. Arntsen went to the box at 2:18 for slashing. 

Tucson’s Ben McCartney took advantage of the power play scoring their first goal of the game at 2:43 in the third. 

Abbotsford battled hard to widen the score, while Tucson looked to tie the game. 

Tucson’s Ty Tullio took a holding penalty at 11:50 in the third, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. They could not capitalize on the power play.  

Tucson pulled their goalie for the extra attacker with just over 2 minutes left in the game. Abbotsford came close to an empty net goal but missed by a few inches. 

Mueller went to the box with 1:13 left on the clock for tripping, putting the game 6-on-4 for Tucson. Despite their best efforts Tucson couldn’t get the tying goal, and Abbotsford would win 2-1. 

This win marked the first back to back regulation wins for the Abbotsford Canucks this season. Their next game takes place on December 27, in Coachella Valley. Their first home game of the new year takes place at Rogers Forum on January 6, 2026 at 7pm, PST against the Bakersfield Condors.