The Abbotsford Pilots came out flying on Friday, earning themselves a 12-1 victory over the Surrey Knights.
Pilots’ Jeremy Zomar put Abbotsford up early in the first period, scoring 2 minutes and 28 seconds into the frame. The Pilots followed up with a goal from assistant captain Jamie Housch midway through the first period.
Abbotsford netted five more goals in the second period, coming from forwards Housch, Alexander Methorst, Jared Pitkethly, Jacob De Waal and Cameron Obcena.
The third period was much of the same from the Pilots, as they scored five more goals.
Housch led off the scoring at 4:30 of the third period with his third goal of the game.
The Knights were able to put themselves on the board with Drew Williams scoring on the power play at 5:26 in the third.
Baylee Wright followed with his first goal of the contest. He finished the night with one goal and five assists. Wright leads the Pacific Junior Hockey League in goals (36), assists (45), and points (81).
Zomar found the back of the net twice more in the third period, earning himself a hat-trick of his own.
Ryan MacDonald capped off the night for the Pilots with a power play goal coming at 16:08 in the third.
Pilots’ goalie Robert Nawrot earned his second win of the season against Surrey, stopping eight of the nine shots he faced.
Housch was named the game’s first star, finishing with three goals. Zomar was awarded the game’s second star with three goals and two assists. Alexander Methorst had a goal and four assists and was named the third star.
Notable efforts from Abbotsford’s Nicholas Methorst, De Waal, Obcena and MacDonald who all had multiple points in the game.
Friday’s game was a bit of payback for the Pilots over the Knights, as Surrey posted its lone win of the season over Abbotsford back on Nov. 24.
Abbotsford also was able to hold off the Aldergrove Kodiaks in a 6-5 win on Jan. 31.
The Pilots got goals from De Waal (two), Methorst, Pitkethly, Toledo and Wright.
Abbotsford is currently tied for first in the Harold Brittain conference with the Ridge Meadows Flames.
The Flames are heading into the final week of the PJHL season with a game in hand on the Pilots.
The Pilots have two more games remaining on the season. Abbotsford visits a strong Richmond Sockeyes team who sits second in the Tom Shaw Conference at the Richmond Arena on Thursday with a 7 p.m. puck drop.
On Friday, Abbotsford plays host to the Langley Trappers with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop at the MSA Arena.
The results of Abbotsford’s next two games will determine if they face the third or fourth place team from the conference in the PJHL playoffs.