With the American Hockey League all-star game on Monday (Feb. 6), Abbotsford Canucks all-star Christian Wolanin proved why he earned an invite on Friday (Feb. 3) night.
Wolanin was in on all three Canucks goals in a comeback 3-2 win over the San Jose Barracuda in California.
The defenceman tied the game up at 9:18 of the first period after joining the offensive rush and being set up nicely by Nils Höglander.
Wolanin ties the game up, nice feed by Hoglander pic.twitter.com/7o7foMqaSP
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) February 4, 2023
He then earned a secondary assist on the Canucks 2-2 tying goal at 5:15 of the third, dishing the puck to Noah Juulsen who then lasered a perfect pass to Nils Aman who scored a beautiful breakaway goal. Wolanin then directed a hard shot to the San Jose net on the power play that was tipped by Höglander at 14:24.
Aman ties the game up with a beauty pic.twitter.com/3A43tpFG6M
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) February 4, 2023
Hoglander with a tip on the power play, Canucks take the lead pic.twitter.com/Su02JOdM0h
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) February 4, 2023
That goal stood as the winner and the Canucks picked up the win. The three points have reached Wolanin to 50 points on the season. He leads the Canucks and all American Hockey League defenceman in scoring and sits tied for fourth in overall league scoring.
The Barracuda got goals from Andrew Agozzino and Adam Raska. Jake Kupsky started the game in goal for the Canucks, but a collision with Vasily Podkolzin in the second period forced him to leave the game early. Arturs Silovs came on in relief and stopped all six shots he faced to pick up the win.
Great back check effort by Podkolzin, but he did hurt Kupsky on the play pic.twitter.com/plw8nVCBgY
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) February 4, 2023
The game marked the Canucks debut for forward Aatu Räty, who played on a line with Phil Di Giuseppe and Kyle Rau. Räty, who was involved in the Bo Horvat trade earlier this week, recorded on shot on goal and was a -1. He was effective in the face-off circle and also spent some time on the penalty kill.
Abbotsford was outshot in the game, with San Jose holding a 31-25 edge. Tristen Nielsen led all Canucks with three shots on goal.
Keeping the good times rolling 😎 pic.twitter.com/zyv1lspTsY
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) February 4, 2023
The win momentarily bumps the Canucks up into third place in the Pacific Division. The team now sports a record of 25-15-2-2.
Abbotsford and San Jose meet again tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m.
