Despite best efforts the Abbotsford Canucks fall to the Colorado Eagles

SHAYLENE TIELMANN/GATG

March 6, 2026 marked the first of 2 games between the Abbotsford Canucks and the Colorado Eagles. The last time these teams faced off was in November where Colorado swept the series. Abbotsford looked for redemption on home ice. 

The lineup went through a shakeup ahead of this home series where longtime defenceman Jett Woo was traded to San Jose. Abbotsford acquired defencemen Jack Thompson, who made his debut. 

Kirill Kudryavtsev made his return to the ice after injury. Colorado’s Tristen Nielsen made his return to Abbotsford after being traded during the off-season. The crowd welcomed him back and celebrated him getting his championship ring. 

Physicality high right from the drop, with heavy hits and intense game play. Both teams battled hard driving the puck into the opposing zones.

Colorado’s Luke Toporowski went to the box for high sticking at 2:32 in the first, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. Colorado came close to a short handed goal, but Jiří Patera made the save to keep the game scoreless. They were successful on the penalty kill. 

Tensions and physicality remained high throughout the first as both teams looked to open the scoring. 

Colorado’s Jason Polin scored the opening goal at 9:24 in the first, giving them the 1-0 lead. 

Chase Wouters went to the box at 12:09 in the first for high-sticking, putting Colorado on the power play. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

Both teams battled hard, Abbotsford looking to get on the board, while Colorado looked to widen the gap. 

Colorado’s Nielsen went to the box with 46.5 seconds left in the first, for high-sticking, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. 

The first period ended 1-0 for Colorado.

The second period started with 1:14 left on the Abbotsford power play. Colorado was successful on the penalty kill. 

The physicality remained high throughout the opening minutes of the second. Abbotsford continued to battle hard for their first goal of the night, while Colorado looked for their second. 

Thompson got Abbotsford on the board at 8:59 in the second, for his first as an Abbotsford Canuck. The goal was assisted by Wouters and Nick Poisson. 

Colorado’s Chase Bradley answered back quickly at 9:20, putting the game 2-1 for them. 

Wouters went back to the box for another high-sticking penalty at 10:03 in the second, giving Colorado the man advantage. Colorado came close, but Patera made some incredible saves to keep the game within one. 

Abbotsford continued to battle hard for the tying goal. With just over 6:40 left in the period Colorado pulled their goalie for the extra man. 

Danila Klimovich went to the box at 13:30 for tripping, putting Colorado on the power play. Colorado’s Topotowski capitalized on the man advantage at 15:21, for a 3-1 Colorado lead. 

Abbotsford continued to battle hard to put the game back within one. 

The second period ended 3-1 for Colorado. 

Both teams came out hot, to start the third, battling hard for the puck and driving it into the opposing zones. 

Colorado’s Ivan Ivan opened the scoring, 57 seconds into the third, putting the game 4-1 for them. 

Colorado’s Jack Achen went to the box at 2:57 for closing his hand on the puck, giving Abbotsford the man advantage. Colorado was successful on the penalty kill. 

Sawyer Mynio went to the box at 10:23 for slashing, putting Colorado on the power play. Colorado had a number of close calls, but Patera made the saves to keep the game 4-1. 

Ben Berard scored at 14:44, the goal was assisted by Thompson and Nils Åman. 

The game's physicality remained high as both teams continued to battle hard. 

Abbotsford pulled their goalie for the extra man with just over 2 minutes left. 

Colorado’s Valtteeri Puustinen went to the box for roughing, while Thompson went to the box for holding, both at 17:54 in the third. Abbotsford kept Patera out of the net for the extra man, throughout the 4-on-4. Colorado’s Bradley capitalized on the empty net. 

The game ended 5-2 for Colorado. 

The Abbotsford Canucks and the Colorado Eagles, face off again, tomorrow night at 7 pm, PST at Rogers Forum.