Despite best efforts the Abbotsford Canucks fall in the third against the Calgary Wranglers

JEN FIELD/GATG

On October 28 the Abbotsford Canucks faced off against the Calgary Wranglers. The last time these two teams played each other they were trying to solidify their spot in the Calder Cup playoffs. 

Ty Young got his second start in net, while defensemen Jayden Lee made his AHL debut. 

From the start both teams came out with energy, fighting for the puck and driving the fight into the opposing zones. A scuffle in front of the Calgary net early in the first would set the tone for the rest of the game.

Abbotsford had a number of chances early in the first period, but Calgary’s goalie Ivan Prosvetov, was able to hold them off. 

Joe Arntsen took the first penalty of the night for holding at 9:41, putting Calgary on the power play. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill.

 Throughout the first few games of the season Abbotsford has been strong on the penalty kill. Their defensive plays in those under pressure moments are going to be key to their game play this season. 

Chase Wouters took a boarding penalty, while Calgary’s Alex Gallant would take a 2 minute instigating penalty, as well as a 5 minute major for fighting, and a 10 minute misconduct at 12:18 in the first. 

Abbotsford would get their first man advantage of the night and were hoping to break on to the score board. However, they were unsuccessful on the powerplay. 

The physicality continued to pick up at the end of the first with both Abbotsford’s Arntsen and Calgary’s Turner Ottenbreit drawing penalties for fighting at 18:55 in the first period. 

The first period would end 0-0. 

Arntsen and Ottenbreit would start the second period in the penalty box, while the teams remained 5-on-5. 

Calgary’s Yan Kuznetsov took a holding penalty at 2:35 into the second, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. Calgary was able to successfully kill the penalty. 

Calgary’s Daniil Miromanov took a penalty for tripping at 4:37, giving Abbotsford their second man advantage of the period.

Abbotsford battled hard, driving the puck to the net hoping to open the scoring, however, Prosvetov kept the score 0-0 through the Calgary penalty kill. 

Arnaud Durandeau took a tripping penalty at 9:35 in the second, giving Calgary their first man advantage of the period. 

Dino Kambeitz took another penalty for tripping at 11:04. Calgary's Martin Frk took an unsportsmanlike conduct at 11:04. 

Abbotsford fought hard to keep the puck in the Calgary zone, but were unable to put the puck in the net. 

Both teams were successful on the penalty kill, but Abbotsford would go straight back onto the defensive with Anri Ravinskis taking a hooking penalty at 14:13. Abbotsford would remain successful on the penalty kill. 

Jujhar Khaira took a hooking penalty at 18:44, putting Calgary back on the man advantage for the third consecutive time in the second period. 

The second period would end 0-0. 

The third period started with Abbotsford a man down, but continued their success on the penalty kill. 

Despite the low scoring game, the action on the ice was never ending. Both teams continued to drive the puck into the opposing zones, looking to be the first on the board. 

Calgary’s Kuznetsov would be the one to open the scoring at 8 minutes into the third. 

Calgary pulled their goalie with just over 9 minutes left in the third for an extra attacker to try to widen the scoring. 

However, Jimmy Schuldt took a penalty at 10:34 for holding. Giving Calgary the man advantage. 

Calgary’s Aydar Suniev capitalized on the power play to put the game to 2-0 at 11:48 in the third. 

Moments later Calgary’s Rory Kerins scored the third goal of the period at 14:38, making it 3-0 for Calgary. 

Despite Abbotsford’s hard fought battle they would fall 3-0 to Calgary. Though the game did not go the way the team and fans wanted, it was not for lack of effort. 

Captain Chase Wouters had this to say about Calgary’s physicality throughout the game; “They’re a good team…That’s how they’ve always played…you know they’re a good team. They’re kind of in your face…that’s their style. And it’s good. It’s fun to play a game like this.” 

When asked about what it's been like integrating new teammates into the lineup he stated; “They’re all a big part of our group. And we’re gonna keep getting to know each other. Keep getting to know each other as teammates and friends. It’s been good to get to meet a lot of people.”

This team is coming together, and the development will continue to grow. With their strong defensive plays throughout their penalty kills, and growing confidence in new players there is a lot of hope for this team. 

The Abbotsford Canucks will play again tomorrow night, October 29, against the Calgary Wranglers.