The Abbotsford Pilots took a step backwards last weekend, losing twice against teams with better records.
Saturday the Pilots lost 4-2 to the North Vancouver Wolf Pack, the owner’s of the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s top record.
However, it was Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Aldergrove Kodiaks at the MSA Arena that stung the most.
Abbotsford (20-18-0-2) had an opportunity to close the gap on Aldergrove (21-12-2-5), who sits in first place in the Harold Brittain Conference standings.
The visiting Kodiaks got off to an early lead, with Cameron Davitt jumping on a rebound just 97 seconds into the game.
“It was probably one [goalie Alex Kong] would like to have back but our D didn’t tie up any sticks in front,” said Pilots’ head coach Jim Cowden.
Then, Davitt assisted on Eric Callegari’s second-period power play goal, giving him 11 points in his last four games, and putting the home side down by two goals with no momentum.
They came alive in the third, outshooting Aldergrove 11-7.
“As far as us coming back, you saw in the third period, we were all over them, we outshot them, we were in their end about 80 per cent,” said Cowden.
The Pilots finally got on the board at 10:39 of the third. Defenceman Devon Becker – who has six points since returning from injury – fed Kolton Grieve from the point, and Grieve’s backhander from the slot made its way through a screen, past goalie Ben Giesbrecht. Cowden was credited with a deflection for his eighth of the season.
“The top line was great in the third period,” said coach Cowden. “They were awful in the first two.”
With all the momentum in their favour, it looked as if the Pilots had tied the game at 13:45.
Grieve displayed a tremendous individual effort, rolling off a check along the right boards, cutting to the net and whistling a backhander past Giesbecht’s blocker.
However, the goal was called off, and after much confusion, it was ruled that the net was off its moorings. The officials had blown two other plays dead in the third period because the net was dislodged, but this time it cost the Pilots the tying goal.
“Our guys played well in the third, but to have a call like that, it’s frustrating,” Cowden said.
Abbotsford didn’t give up, but failed to beat the netminder again. Grieve had the best opportunity, but was robbed in the slot on a rebound attempt with 15 seconds remaining.
Alex Kong made 26 saves in the loss, his fourth start in the last five games.
“He’s playing steady,” said Cowden. “He’s calm, cool and he makes the saves you need to make.”
Saturday at Harry Jerome Recreation Centre the Pilots again had a shaky start.
North Vancouver’s Daniel Tait scored two goals in a four minute-span, and the Wolf Pack took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
Jacob Crawford got the start in net but was pulled after the first, stopping 10 of 13 shots. Kong mopped up, allowing one goal on 17 shots.
Brady Lawlor scored a power play goal at 18:46 of the second, giving him a team-high 23 goals on the season, and Cole Methorst added a man-advantage goal of his own within the final three minutes of the game. But it was too little, too late.
Just four games remain on the regular season schedule. The Pilots will visit Aldergrove Community Arena for a rematch with the Kodiaks Wednesday night. The Ridge Meadows Flames will cross the bridge to take on the Pilots at the MSA Arena Friday night.