Defensive reinforcements paid off in a big way for the Abbotsford Pilots on the weekend.
The local junior B hockey club won a pair of games – most notably, handing the previously undefeated Delta Ice Hawks their first loss of the season by a score of 4-3 on Friday at MSA Arena.
It was no coincidence that Friday marked the season debuts of defencemen Simon Horlick (recovered from hip surgery) and Austin Edwards (returned to the Pilots from the junior A Surrey Eagles).
“Getting Horlick and Edwards back really helped us,” Pilots coach Jim Cowden said. “I thought we played very well defensively, and didn’t give Delta a lot of time and space in the neutral zone.”
The Pilots also got terrific offensive contributions from Jarrett Martin and Jared Virtanen, who each notched a goal and two assists. Edwards and Brad Parker also scored, while Zachary Station made 29 saves in the win.
On Saturday, the Abby squad picked up a 4-2 road win over the North Delta Devils, behind two goals from Parker and singles from Kolten Grieve and Dylan Cusmano.
• The Pilots (5-3-1) visit the Aldergrove Kodiaks on Wednesday (7:15 p.m., Aldergrove Community Arena) and host North Delta on Friday (7:30 p.m., MSA Arena).