The Abbotsford Pilots officially have their backs to the wall.
The Pilots are facing elimination in the Pacific Junior Hockey League playoffs, after losing 4-3 in overtime to the Mission City Outlaws in game three of their second round series on Tuesday.
The loss puts the Pilots behind the eight-ball against arch rival Mission, as they now trail the best-of-seven series 3-0.
After a scoreless first period, the Pilots jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period of game three, after goals from Francis Bamford and Hayden Guilderson.
Pilots goalie Jacob Crawford’s shutout was broken in the third period, when the Outlaws scored three unanswered goals in 12 minutes to take a 3-2 lead. Cole Methorst tied the game at 15:53 to send the game to overtime.
The extra frame saw Mission’s Brody Dyck win the game for the Outlaws on home ice.
Game one in Abbotsford on March 4 also went to overtime, with Mission’s David McGowan becoming the overtime hero.
Abbotsford had goals from Mateo Toledo, Alexander Methorst, Cole Methorst and Bamford in a losing cause.
The Pilots had a 4-3 lead in the third period of game one, but saw that lead evaporate late in the third and transform into a 5-4 overtime loss.
Game two in Mission was a disaster for the Pilots, as they allowed 10 goals for the first time this season in a crushing 10-4 loss. The previous most goals the Pilots had allowed this year was seven in a 7-6 loss to the Outlaws on Jan. 22.
Mission had a 2-1 lead after the first period, with Kevin Allen getting the Pilots on the board. The Outlaws built the lead to 5-3 after two periods, with Cole Methorst and Kenessary Kylyshbek scoring for Abbotsford.
The Outlaws exploded in the third, scoring five more goals to reach double digits. Cole Methorst scored the lone goal in the third period for Abbotsford.
Both Abbotsford goalies had rough nights, as Crawford and Lucas Mills each allowed five goals.
All is not lost yet for the Pilots, as they return to home ice for game four in a must-win situation tonight (Friday).
The Outlaws actually trailed 3-0 to the Ridge Meadows Flames last round, and came back to win the series in seven games.
Game four goes down tonight at MSA Arena. Face-off is set for 7:30 p.m.