Several offensive team records were shattered by the Abbotsford Canucks in the club’s historic 8-3 win over the Henderson Silver Knights on Sunday (March 17).
Abbotsford’s power play, which has been near the worst in the AHL for most of the season, exploded for a record five goals.
The Canucks went five for six with the man advantage and it breaks the previous mark of four last accomplished on Feb. 16, 2022 against the Bakersfield Condors.
The vibes were HIGH last night! pic.twitter.com/ePHnJRYXKk
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) March 18, 2024
The three power play goals in the first period is also the first time the team has ever scored three times with the man advantage in one period.
Forward Aatu Räty, who entered Sunday having gone seven straight games without a point, caught fire offensively and collected two goals and two assists in the first period. That also set a new team record for most points in one period. The previous record was three, last done by Linus Karlsson on March 2, 2024 against the Condors.
AND WITH THAT... WE'VE GOT ANOTHER FRANCHISE RECORD!
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) March 18, 2024
Marc Gatcomb's second goal was the 5th power play goal of the game! The most in a single Abbotsford Canucks game! pic.twitter.com/phLqcjBCZZ
The eight goals ties a team record for most goals in a game. The last time Abbotsford scored eight goals was on Feb. 11, 2022 against the Manitoba Moose. The five goals in the first period also ties a team record last achieved on Dec. 21, 2023 against the Ontario Reign.
The offence came early and often for the Canucks on Sunday, with Karlsson opening the scoring just 51 seconds into the game. Räty made it 2-0 just nine seconds later and then he made it 3-0 at 5:16 of the first.
AATU RÄ-TWO GOALS 🤩 pic.twitter.com/iRwnoCLY6c
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) March 18, 2024
Henderson’s Brendan Brisson got the visitors on the board at 9:54, but Tristen Nielsen replied with a power play goal at 12:58. Sheldon Dries added another power play goal just 84 seconds later. Silver Knights forward Grigori Denisenko scored the period’s seventh and final goal at 16:26.
Abbotsford’s offence kept coming in the second period, with goals from Arshdeep Bains and Marc Gatcomb and they led 7-2 after two. Brisson and Gatcomb added goals for their respective teams in the third.
Marc Gatcomb leaving a mark on his 100th game! pic.twitter.com/6vCTGa5df2
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) March 18, 2024
The Canucks outshot Henderson 29-21 and several Canucks had multi-point nights including Räty (four), Filip Johansson (three), Karlsson (three), Gatcomb (two) and Nielsen (two). Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo made 18 saves for his 16th win this season.
The win comes off a disappointing 7-3 loss to the Silver Knights on Saturday (March 16).
Abbotsford’s Aidan McDonough opened the scoring at 6:39, but then Henderson scored six consecutive goals to lead 6-1 by the third period. The Canucks then got goals from Max Sasson and McDonough again in the third before an empty net goal from the Silver Knights.
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Saturday saw Tolopilo yanked for the second time in his career after allowing five goals on 23 shots. This meant the first in-game action for third-string goalie Zach Sawchenko. He made four saves on five shots in relief.
The club sits in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a record of 31-23-4-2. The Canucks next travel to Winnipeg for games against the Manitoba Moose on Saturday (March 23) and Sunday (March 24).