On a night full of firsts for the new Abbotsford Canucks American Hockey League team, the one lasting first was on the scoreboard as the club recorded its first-ever loss.
Abbotsford fell 5-3 to the Bakersfield Condors, losing grip on the game during a 39-second stretch early into the third period when the Canucks allowed a pair of goals to see a 3-2 lead evaporate.
The flurry of offence came after an excellent second period that saw the Canucks score three goals and seemingly take control of the game.
It was a B.C. native who notched the historical first goal in Abbotsford Canucks history, as Squamish’s Jarid Lukosevicius scored at 2:18 of the second period tying the game at one. Bakersfield’s Adam Cracknell grabbed the Condors the lead back five minutes later, but that was short-lived as 2021 Canucks draft pick Danila Klimovich scored a goal down low 52 seconds later to tie the game back up.
First of many goals in Danila Klimovich's career!#AbbotsfordCanucks pic.twitter.com/uwS5bsS6Dq
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 17, 2021
Klimovich with a beauty first ever AHL goal #Canucks #abbycanucksdebut #AbbyCanucks pic.twitter.com/qq2eXsCM9l
— Alien Pete (@AlienPete40) October 17, 2021
Abbotsford’s Justin Bailey added a late-goal to give the Canucks a 3-2 lead after two.
Justin Bailey's first of the season to give us our first ever lead!
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 17, 2021
A lot of firsts happening tonight in Bakersfield 😎#AbbotsfordCanucks pic.twitter.com/CNiK0COlwn
#ABBvsBAK | Justin Bailey gives the @abbycanucks their first ever lead in franchise history! They lead 3-2, final 2 minutes of the 2nd. #AbbotsfordCanucks #Canucks #abbycanucksdebut
— Michael Liu (@FPHCanucks) October 17, 2021
The first period saw the Canucks play like a team that hadn’t played a single preseason - probably because they hadn’t. The club managed just five shots on goal and were largely bailed out by goalie Michael DiPietro, who had a solid game and gave Abbotsford a chance to win.
Mikey DiPietro looking sharp early!
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 17, 2021
The Bakersfield broadcaster's pronunciation skills, less sharp... pic.twitter.com/URia21BsGq
Shot chart from the @abbycanucks in first period #abbycanucksdebut pic.twitter.com/0bwp4vWNdm
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 17, 2021
Bakersfield’s James Hamblin scored the lone goal in the opening frame and the Condors outshot the Canucks 11-5. Third period goals from the Condors were scored by Cracknell, Yanni Kaldis and Luke Esposito (empty net goal).
Penalty troubles spooked the Canucks a bit, as they were shorthanded five times and only went on the power play twice. They were unsuccessful with the man advantage and allowed one goal down a man.
Lukosevicius and Sheldon Rempal had a multi-point nights for Abbotsford, also collecting points was John Stevens and Devante Stephens. DiPietro made 27 saves in the loss, while Condors goalie Stuart Skinner made 19 saves in a winning performance. Bakersfield’s Seth Griffith added three assists in the win.
WHAT A MOMENT!
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 17, 2021
Here is our first goal EVER 🚨 Even more special that a BC Boy scored it. Jarid Lukosevicius gained some fans in Abby!#AbbotsfordCanucks pic.twitter.com/QCZlF5WveH
Other historical firsts for the Abbotsford Canucks included: Klimovich (first shot), Lukosevicius (first goal), Carson Focht (first penalty), Rempal (first assist) and Will Lockwood (first fight).
We are officially a thing 🏒
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 17, 2021
Puck has dropped in Bakersfield!
WATCH HERE ➡️ https://t.co/52PSNCKmGB pic.twitter.com/wfWk0QzH6Q
Abbotsford did not dress a captain for the game, but players Sheldon Dries, Phil Di Giuseppe and Madison Bower all wore the A.
The Canucks return to action tomorrow (Sunday) when they take on the Ontario Reign. That game is also available for free on AHL TV. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m.
RELATED: First two Abbotsford Canucks games now streaming for free
