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Abbotsford Canucks drop pair of games to Coachella Valley

Canucks earn just one of four points in crucial penultimate set of home games
Ben Lypka
Ben Lypka

The Abbotsford Canucks first round home playoff hopes took a major hit after the team managed to earn just one out of a possible four points to the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Saturday (April 6) and Sunday (April 7).

The Canucks fell 2-1 in overtime in a strong effort on Saturday, but then were completely outclassed 7-2 by the top team in the Pacific Division on Sunday.

Saturday’s game had a spark from the outset, as Sheldon Dries dropped the gloves with John Hayden just 95 seconds into the game. It was believed that the tussle was Dries having to answer for a match penalty he received for a high stick to Firebirds defenceman Connor Carrick back on Dec. 9.

Abbotsford controlled play in the first period, outshooting the Firebirds 11-6 but CV goalie Chris Driedger stood tall.

Chaos erupted in the second period when Abbotsford forward Tristen Nielsen was assessed a match penalty for a hit to the head. The Canucks penalty kill managed to kill off the lengthy penalty and was good all night, killing off all three chances.

More disaster struck in the second period when defenceman Jett Woo got tied up with a Firebirds player leaving the zone and was unable to leave the ice under his own weight. Woo did not return and was not in the lineup on Sunday. It appeared to be a significant injury.

The Firebirds outshot the Canucks 8-5 in the second and the game remained scoreless.

Rookie Jonathan Lekkerimaki broke the game open at 4:08 of the third with a laser shot from the slot and that lead held until CV’s Max McCormick tied the game up at 19:12. McCormick was then the hero in overtime to deliver the Firebirds the win.

Lekkerimaki led all Canucks with four shots on goal. He said it felt great to pot one.

“Finally I get a goal,” he said. “It was a nice feeling.”

The 19-year-old also shared that he’s enjoying his time in Abbotsford. He’s currently living in a local hotel with fellow rookie Swede Elias Pettersson. He added that he enjoyed playing with the returning Arshdeep Bains.

After playing the Firebirds well on Saturday, the Canucks fell apart on Sunday.

Abbotsford fell behind 31 seconds into the game and never recovered. They trailed 3-0 after one and 7-1 after two. John Stevens got the Canucks on the board at 13:13, with Bains and Lekkerimaki drawing the assists.

Bains added another goal in the third. Shots finished 31-29 for CV, but it was lopsided in the Firebirds favour for the first two periods. Abbotsford outshot CV 15-4 as they were content to hang back and defend the lead.

Sunday was a rough game for Canucks starting goalie Zach Sawchenko, who was yanked after the first period after allowing three goals on 12 shots. Tolopilo allowed four goals on 19 shots in relief.

The Canucks remain in fifth place in the Pacific Division, but only have four games left and will need to pass the teams above them because they have the fewest amount of regulation wins of the Pacific Division playoff teams.

Abbotsford’s record is 36-25-5-2, but the teams above them have two games in hand and sixth place Bakersfield has one game in hand and are one point behind the Canucks.

The club concludes the season with a four-game set against the Calgary Wranglers that will determine their final placing. They travel to Calgary for games on Thursday (April 11) and Friday (April 12). The Canucks close out the season at home against Calgary on April 19 and 20.

Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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