An outstanding performance from goalie Ross Baadsvik powered the Aldergrove Kodiaks to a 2-1 victory over the Abbotsford Pilots to open their second-round playoff series.
The Pilots out-shot the hosts 53-44 at Aldergrove Community Arena on Monday, but the Kodiaks’ keeper was up to the task.
“He stood on his head for them,” Abbotsford head coach Jim Cowden said of Baadsvik. “At the end of the game, he made a couple of real nice pad saves.”
The Pilots, coming off a four-game sweep of the Port Moody Black Panthers, took a 1-0 lead into the third period on a goal by Riley Lamb, but Ryan Veillet and Stephen Ryan scored for Aldergrove in the final frame.
Abby netminder Riley Parker was knocked down on the play that led to Ryan’s game-winner with 3:23 remaining, and Cowden felt it should have been goalie interference.
“It is what it is, but I thought we played well,” Cowden said. “We had oodles and oodles of chances.”
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series goes Wednesday in Aldergrove at 7:15 p.m. Games 3 and 4 are back at MSA Arena on Friday and Saturday, with the opening faceoff at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
