The Abbotsford Pilots’ win streak now stands at seven games, after two more victories last week.
The Pilots traveled to Richmond on Thursday to battle the Sockeyes, and quickly built up a 3-0 lead early into the second period.
Richmond managed to break Pilots goalie Jacob Crawford’s shutout bid at the 4:55 mark of the second period, but they potted three more goals to win 6-1.
Dryden Michaud, Jackson Waniek, Mateo Toledo, Kevin Allen (two), and Sean Olson tallied for the Pilots. Allen, Toledo and Olson all recorded two-point nights.
Friday marked the return of the Teddy Bear Toss to the MSA Arena, and the Pilots didn’t make their fans wait to throw the stuffed animals onto the ice.
Toledo scored at 5:34 of the first period against the Grandview Steelers, and dozens of stuffed toys hit the ice in response. Two and a half bags of toys were gathered by club officials, and all of the donations go to the local Salvation Army for underprivileged children this holiday season.
The scoring continued for the Pilots in the first period, with Olson, Alexander Methorst, and Allen all lighting the lamp in the opening period. Grandview got on the board with goals in the second and third period, but Abbotsford skated away with the 4-2 win. Crawford stopped 33 of 35 shots for the victory.
The pair of wins improves the Pilots’ record to 19 wins, nine losses and one overtime loss. The Pilots are now only two points back of the Harold Brittain conference leader Mission City Outlaws, and rank third overall in the Pacific Junior Hockey League.
Abbotsford hits the road to play the Ridge Meadows Flames on Wednesday, and then host the Delta Ice Hawks at the MSA Arena on Friday. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance at Friday’s game, and the game’s opening faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Friday marks the final home game of 2015 for the Pilots, as all 10 teams in the PJHL participate in the first-ever Winter Classic from Jan. 1 to 3 at Minoru Arena in Richmond.
Abbotsford plays Delta on Jan. 1 and Ridge Meadows on Jan. 2.
The event is part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the PJHL.
Visit pjhl.net for more details on the Winter Classic.