The Abbotsford Pilots moved to within two points of first place in their conference with a pair of weekend wins.
Both nights, the local junior B hockey club had to stave off rallies.
On Friday at MSA Arena, the Pilots built a 3-1 lead on the strength of goals from Christopher Vinette, Colton Cowden and Justin Dorey. The Wolf Pack made things interesting when Christian Stephenson scored on the power play at 18:38 of the third period, but Pilots goalie Aaron Oakley slammed the door from there, finishing with 31 saves.
On Saturday, the Pilots notched a quality road win against a solid North Delta squad. Goals by Dorey, Adam Rossi, Garett Lynum and Riley Lamb – three of which came on the power play – staked Abbotsford to a 4-0 lead. The Devils staged a three-goal rally to cut the deficit to one, but Vinette sealed the win with an empty-netter with 35 seconds remaining.
The victories have the Pilots (21-8-2-0, 44 points) nipping at the heels of the Aldergrove Kodiaks (22-8-1-1, 46 points) for first place in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League's Harold Brittain Conference.
The Pilots are back in action on Tuesday, when they visit the Delta Ice Hawks (7:30 p.m., Ladner Leisure Centre). On Friday, they host the Grandview Steelers (7:30 p.m., MSA Arena).