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Silovs shutout, “Rässon” line leads Abbotsford Canucks to win over Henderson

Abbotsford defeats Henderson Silver Knights 2-0 on Diwali Night at the Abbotsford Centre
Ben Lypka
Ben Lypka

The Abbotsford Canucks bounced back from a 5-2 loss to the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday (Nov. 3) and put together the team’s likely best all-around performance this season with a 2-0 win over Henderson on Saturday (Nov. 4).

Canucks head coach Jeremy Colliton juggled his roster slightly after Friday, inserting Jermaine Loewen into the lineup and pairing him with Alex Kannok Leipert and Josh Passolt. That line helped set the physical tone early – an element that was missing from Friday.

But it wasn’t just that line that picked up the pace, as the combo of Max Sasson, Linus Karlsson and Aatu Räty were buzzing all night long and forechecking aggressively. That line’s efforts paid off at 15:55 of the first when Karlsson set up Sasson perfectly to score the lone goal in the first.

That line connected again at 4:35 of the second when continued forechecking led to a bouncing puck finding its way on Räty’s stick and he beat the Henderson goalie. That was all the Canucks needed, as Arturs Silovs played his best game of the season and made 23 saves to earn his sixth career AHL shutout.

The “Rässon” line combined for nine shots on goal and all three players recorded two-point nights. Abbotsford outshot Henderson 29-23, with Karlsson and defneceman Filip Johansson both firing four shots on goal. The Rässon line, along wth defensive pair Matt Irwin and Johansson all finished the night at +2.

Both teams were unable to connect on the power play, with each squad going zero for three on the night. Henderson’s Jesper Vikman started the game in goal, but was forced to leave at 6:51 of the first after suffering some sort of injury. Jiri Patera came on in relief and was awarded the loss.

Saturday was also Diwali Night, with the Canucks celebrating the Hindu festival of lights. The Abbotsford Centre was adorned with Diwali inspired decorations and there were several other South Asian cultural elements and activations in the arena.

Jugpreet Bajwa sung both national anthems and DJ Heer was playing music throughout the night. Abbotsford wrestler Jasmit Singh Phulka and former Vancouver Canucks player Robin Bawa were on-hand to drop the puck.

The first intermission also featured Abbotsford’s Learning Stars Arts Academy’s Punjabi Dance Studio, who performed a dance and received significant applause.

The Abbotsford Canucks also announced a $10,000 donation to the Guru Nanak Food Bank and a $35,000 to Archway’s In It Together program.

The Canucks next host the Bakersfield Condors on Thursday (Nov. 9) at 7 p.m. They also tangle with Bakersfield on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 7 p.m.

Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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