After earning the 4-2 win in Game One of the two-game set on Friday night, the Abbotsford Canucks showcased what they could do with a bit of roster help. In a third period that has typically been their enemy, they regrouped for a two-goal outburst to earn their fourth victory in eight games. No, it’s nothing to plan the parade over, but the bar is low for wins this season.

Looking to build on that win, the Canucks were back on home ice for a Saturday matinee, aiming to sweep the series. Although it wasn’t their best effort, they managed to make things happen when it counted. With a quick pair of goals in the second period, they managed to close the door in what was a closely contested battle.

The result? A series sweep for the first time since opening weekend and points in four straight games.

Bains–Aman–Lekkerimäki
MacEachern–Reichel–Berard
Alriksson–Mueller–Wouters
Kunz–Khaira–Kambeitz

Kudryavtsev-Mancini
Schuldt–Mynio
Arntsen-Knyzhov

Patera

Scratched: Josh Bloom, Danila Klimovich, Anri Ravinskis, Phip Waugh, Nick Poisson, Arnaud Durandeau
Injured: Guillaume Brisebois, Cooper Walker, Chase Stillman, Jett Woo

With a rare Saturday matinee, the players took some time to find their legs.

Keeping those legs moving, however, Sawyer Mynio did what he could to wake up his team and drew a tripping penalty.

There, Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Arshdeep Bains provided the game’s first best chance, playing a cross-ice give-and-go.

The top line enjoyed some good in-zone time, but that man advantage was cut short as Ty Mueller took a tripping call of his own. The stat sheet doesn’t pop on Vilmer Alriksson’s ledger, but he’s been quietly strong through the last few games.

Here, as he did often on Friday, he found Jujhar Khaira with a delicate pass to pick up the third line’s best chance.

Routine chances were exchanged throughout the remainder of the period, mainly off scattered rush chances. Yet, neither team could find any meaningful results.

The Canucks came out of the gate steaming, but finished with just two shots in the second half. The important thing was that the score was even.

The middle frame saw immediate action, as the Roadrunners jumped on a Kirill Kudryavtsev giveaway off the initial draw. Unable to get a shot off, Kirill hauled the player down, prompting each team to seek its own penalty calls. Neither came.

It took nearly three minutes, but the Canucks best chance of the early stages came off the stick of Bains. Nils Aman continued to win battles – as he did all night on Friday – and this time was able to find Bains with a cross-ice feed. Unfortunately, Jaxson Stauber was able to slide over and track the shot to keep the game scoreless.

But they continued to press and were eventually rewarded.

Providing a solid forecheck, the Canucks captain came up with the puck to find Joe Arntsen at the point. Firing the puck through traffic, the shot hit a body before falling to the feet of Wouters. Acting quickly, he shovelled the backhand to the top corner for his third goal in as many games.

That momentum carried into the next shift, where they continued to press hard for a quick double-up.

Thanks to another solid puck chase, this time from Dino Kambeitz, the puck found its way to Sawyer Mynio. Fooling most, he sent an unexpected snapshot toward the net, which hit the netminder and popped up into the air. While Kambeitz was busy shoving the defender through the post, the puck found its way past the goal line.

Upset with the shove from the previous play, Dmitri Simashev challenged Kambeitz to answer the bell for his actions immediately. Of course, he did without hesitation.

And just like that, this game was all Canucks.

Later in the period, the Canucks sent the visiting team to their second power play of the game. Here, Patera made his best save of the game, sliding over to deny Ben McCartney of the one-timer.

The rough stuff continued, as former Canuck Kevin Connauton and Jujhar Khaira dropped their gloves for a spirited tilt. If you listen closely, you can hear Feliz Navidad blaring from the arena speakers.

With just six shots in the frame, this period was more about quality than quantity for the Canucks. They scored two quick ones to shock the Roadrunners and double up after forty minutes.

The third period did not begin with a quick breakaway. But it did start with an unnecessary penalty that sent the visitors to their third power play. Fumbling the puck at the offensive blueline, Joe Arntsen was caught in a bad spot. Scrambling on his chase back, he was called for the slash.

And the Roadrunners made him pay.

Working their setup, Sammy Walker found Ben McCartney with the perfect cross-ice feed. Wasting no time, he wired the quick one timer to beat Patera on the short side.

Down by a pair, scoring a goal in the initial minutes is what dreams are made of for the visitors.

Now up by just a single-digit goal, the Canucks’ focus shifted towards locking this thing down. But that doesn’t mean there was no room for more offence, and the Canucks nearly provided just that.

Posted up at the netfront, Jonathan Lekkerimäki had the yawning cage to extend his goal streak to six games. Sliding over was Stauber, who managed to get his paddle on the puck to deny the Swede of the insurance marker.

AHL save of the week?

That save would make the final few moments a massive sweat for the Canucks. They spent several minutes inside their own zone, with Patera forced to make some big stops.

And with just over a minute remaining, and Tucson’s goalie pulled, Mueller was called to the box for a hold.

Why wouldn’t they make it even more challenging for themselves?

Navigating the penalty kill, Abby did a tremendous job at closing the necessary gaps.

Somehow, despite collecting just three shots in the final frame, they hung on and closed out the weekend with their first weekend sweep since opening weekend.

They don’t have to be pretty, and this one was far from perfect. The Canucks were outshot, spent long stretches defending, and didn’t generate much in the third period. And yet, thanks to some terrific goaltending from Jiri Patera and sound defending in big moments, they held on for their first sweep since opening weekend.

The team will enjoy a week-long holiday break and meet in California to kick off a four-game road trip. First up, the Coachella Valley Firebirds on December 27th at 6:00 pm PT.