The NHL and Vancouver Canucks have started their two-week hiatus for the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off. But don’t worry — we have you covered with American League action that entire time.
If you’ve been keeping up, you’d know that the Abbotsford Canucks have been playing very well lately. Although they finally dropped a game last week, putting an abrupt end to their impressive eight-game streak, there’s still tons to like from the affiliates. So, if you are bored over the next two weeks, the good news is that there are TONS of Abbotsford games on the slate over the next couple of weeks, and we will have “Farmies” running for each of them.
Tune in, yeah?
This weekend, they travelled to Colorado for a quick two-game set against the Eagles, who sit second in the Pacific Division. The same Division in which the Canucks are making their best attempt at climbing despite a relatively incontinent start to the season. They sit sixth.
The weekend did not disappoint. Arshdeep Bains put up four points (two goals, two assists), Cole McWard set new highs, and Swedish sensation Jonathan Lekkerimäki made his highly anticipated return to the lineup.
Both teams put up solid efforts and walked away with wins.

Game one: Silovs picks up win in 100th AHL Start, Bains plays hero in overtime

Starting lineup

Despite being on the bus for the road trip, we learned that dynamic young scorer Jonathan Lekkerimäki would miss his fourth consecutive game for precautionary reasons following a scary collision with the boards a few weeks back.
And yet, it wasn’t all bad. The Canucks still got the old band back together with the likes of Arshdeep Bains, Aatu Räty and Max Sasson. All three have enjoyed their cups of coffee up top with the big club, and all three were ready to spark some magic that was so prevalent last season.
It was a milestone game between the pipes for goaltender Arturs Silovs, who made his 100th career AHL start.

First period

The Canucks wasted no time establishing their offensive presence on the road.
Just over five minutes into the game, Cole McWard surprised everyone by firing a seemingly harmless shot from the point with pressure that somehow found its way past Colorado goaltender Justus Annunen.
Abbotsford Goal – 1-0 – Cole McWard from Danila Klimovich
The goal was McWard’s fourth of the season and tied his career-high of 17 points. It was a bit of a fluky goal, with the puck seemingly fooling everyone in the building.
However, the Eagles were quick to respond. Midway through the first period, former Victoria Royals standout and Calgary Flames draft pick Matthew Phillips showcased his blazing speed and offensive instincts. He received a pass in the neutral zone, turned on the jets, and blew past the Abbotsford defence before beating Silovs on the breakaway.
Colorado Goal – 1-1 – Matthew Phillips from Jayson Megna and Jean-Luc Foudy
Known for his offensive flair and dynamic puck-handling skills, Phillips has been a consistent threat for the Eagles this season, leading the team with 36 points.
Undeterred, the Canucks regained the lead just minutes later. Arshdeep Bains retrieved the puck below the goal line and patiently held on to the puck for a slick wrap-around play, setting up Max Sasson with a beautiful cross-crease feed. Sasson made no mistake, tapping the puck into the open net.
Abbotsford Goal – 2-1 – Max Sasson from Arshdeep Bains and Aatu Räty
The goal was Sasson’s second since being reassigned to Abbotsford, and it highlighted the chemistry he has developed with Bains. The two players have a knack for finding each other on the ice, and that was a perfect display of that chemistry.
The Canucks carried their 2-1 lead into the first intermission, doubling the Eagles 18-9 in a dominant opening period.

Second period

The Eagles, however, were not going to go down without a fight. They came out strong in the second period, determined to even the score. Midway through the frame, Wyatt Aamodt took advantage of the defensive coverage breakdown and found himself in the perfect position to deflect a Mark Senden point shot past Silovs.
Colorado Goal – 2-2 – Wyatt Aamodt from Mark Senden and Oskar Olausson
The Canucks, however, were quick to respond once again.
Cole McWard fired another shot toward the net, and this time, it was deflected by Arshdeep Bains for his sixth goal of the season. Right time, right place, as they say.
Abbotsford Goal – 3-2 – Arshdeep Bains from Cole McWard
Not only was this McWard’s first multipoint game of the season (the third of his pro career), but the assist set a new career-high in points for the young defenceman with 18 on the year. He’s quietly becoming an increasingly valuable asset for Abbotsford and a solid piece of depth for this organization if the need ever comes up.
Just minutes later, Cooper Walker extended the Canucks’ lead with a well-placed shot from the slot.
Abbotsford Goal – 4-2 – Cooper Walker from Guillaume Brisebois
Walker is an AHL-signed player who isn’t in the lineup often. But when he is, he has shown flashes of offensive potential and plays an energy game necessary for that fourth-line role.
The Eagles wouldn’t go away quietly, though. With just seconds remaining in the second period, Jake Wise sent Jere Innala on a breakaway with a slick one-touch pass, and Innala beat Silovs with a backhand deke to cut the lead to one goal.
Colorado Goal – 4-3 – Jere Innala from Jake Wise and Jack Ahcan

Third period

The third period was tense, with both teams jockeying hard for every inch of ice. The Canucks were unable to extend their lead, and with the goalie pulled in the final minute, the Eagles found the equalizer.
Once again, Matthew Phillips stepped up to the plate, pouncing on a rebound to fire it past Silovs for his second game goal.
Colorado Goal – 4-4 – Matthew Phillips from Chris Wagner and Jack Ahcan

Overtime

The game headed to overtime, where Aatu Räty and Arshdeep Bains combined for a dramatic game-winner.
Räty patiently held off a forechecker before sending Bains a pinpoint tape-to-tape stretch pass. Protecting the puck, Bains cut back, spun, and fired a shot on net. He followed up his own rebound to secure the victory for Abbotsford.
Abbotsford Goal – 5-4 – Arshdeep Bains from Aatu Räty and Christian Wolanin
The overtime winner was a fitting end to a thrilling game, and it gave Silovs a victory in his 100th AHL start. The Canucks found a way to win despite missing key players and facing a tough opponent
Total Shots: ABB 32, COL 25
Total Score: ABB 5, COL 4 (OT)

Game two: Lekkerimäki Returns, But Eagles Soar to Victory

Starting lineup

The Canucks welcomed back Jonathan Lekkerimäki to the lineup for game two of the back-to-back, and he immediately slotted onto the top line alongside Räty and Bains.
Nikita Tolopilo started in net, looking to build on the team’s success from the previous game.

First period

The Eagles were determined to avenge their overtime loss. They came out flying, scoring two quick goals in the first 10 minutes.
First, Tye Felhaber made a nice move to set up Chad Hillebrand for the first goal, and Matthew Phillips continued his strong weekend with his third goal of the series.
Colorado Goal – 1-0 – Chad Hillebrand from Tye Felhaber and Wyatt Aamodt
Colorado Goal – 2-0 – Matthew Phillips from Jean-Luc Foudy and Connor Mayer
Despite outshooting the Eagles for the third time in four periods, Colorado put an early chokehold on the visiting team.

Second period

The Canucks showed their resilience by not folding. It took eight minutes, but they responded with two quick goals of their own to even the score.
Abbotsford Goal – 2-2 – Tristen Nielsen from Max Sasson and Kirill Kudryavtsev
First up was Tristen Nielsen, who tucked his eighth of the season, all thanks to a solid breakout and final dish from Max Sasson.
Collecting the bank pass from Kirill Kudryavtsev, Sasson found Nielsen in the slot, who spun around a defender and fired a shot past Colorado goaltender Kevin Mandolese.
Abbotsford Goal – 2-2 – Sammy Blais from Christian Wolanin and Tristen Nielsen
Next, on a delayed penalty call, was Sammy Blais. He received a pass from Christian Wolanin and wired a shot up high past Mandolese.
As expected, the Eagles contested the goal, arguing that the net had come off its moorings. The officials ruled that the goal was good, with the net still technically attached to the ice.
The tie game was short-lived, however. Jean-Luc Foudy regained the lead for the Eagles with a powerful one-timer from the slot.
Colorado Goal – 3-2 – Jean-Luc Foudy from Jayson Megna and Jack Ahcan
From that goal forward, the Eagles put this game out of reach.

Third period

The Eagles carried their momentum into the third period, scoring two more goals in the first ten minutes to put the game out of reach.
First, it was Jacob MacDonald dropping to his knees from the point to beat the netminder from distance.
Midway through, the Eagles put together a pretty play for their fifth goal of the night. One of the founding fathers of the “All-name team,” Ivan Ivan, made a tremendous drop pass as he drove by the back of the net before Chris Wagner made the quick one-touch pass to Nikita Prishchepov for his seventh of the year.
Colorado Goal – 4-2 – Jacob MacDonald from Mark Senden
Colorado Goal – 5-2 – Nikita Prishchepov from Chris Wagner and Ivan Ivan
The Canucks did enjoy some positive light in this one. Lekkerimäki delivered one of his patented snapshots from the slot, beating Mandelose clean on the short side. Boy, does he ever get some solid whip on his release!
Abbotsford Goal – 5-3 – Jonathan Lekkerimäki from Arshdeep Bains
This goal was Lekkerimäki’s 15th on the season and pushed him to fourth in the AHL among rookies and the team lead for the Abbotsford Canucks. He has played just 25 AHL games this season.
Despite the little ray of light at the end, the Canucks could not come closer, dropping game two by a 5-3 margin to split the weekend series.
Total shots: ABB 32, COL 29
Total score ABB 3, COL 5

What’s next?

The Canucks rush back home as they get set to host the San Diego Gulls for a rare mid-week doubleheader. The puck drops for game one on Tuesday, February 11th, at 7:00 pm PT.
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