Victory was at their fingertips.
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Buzzing off a <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/farmies-abby-canucks-game-1-home-defeating-tucson-4-3">game one victory just one night prior</a>, the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Abbotsford Canucks</a> had the chance to sweep their first round mini-series and send the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/abbotsford-canucks-game-day-looking-sweep-tucson-second-straight-win">Tucson Roadrunners packing</a>.
Unfortunately, a red-hot goaltender had other plans.
Despite the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">Canucks</a> jumping out the gate with some energy, the visiting team took advantage of some untimely giveaways and grinded the Canucks down goal-by-goal. Between their pipes, Jaxson Stauber was red-hot, stopping 38 of 39 Abby shots, taking home First Star honours with ease.
Special teams production, or lack thereof, played a significant role in the loss, as the home team could not take advantage of some key opportunities at various times in the game.
When all was said and done, Tucson willed their way toward a 4-1 victory, forcing a do-or-die Game three on Saturday night.
Let&#8217;s check in on the action.
<blockquote>Starting lineup</blockquote>
Why change what works? The Abbotsford Canucks rode their hot hand, icing a near identical lineup. The one change came on the third line defensive pair, where Cole McWard slid in for rookie Kirill Kudryvtsev.
Unlike the Roadrunners, who swapped out netminder, the Canucks ran Arturs Silovs or back-to-back nights.
Bains – Räty – Lekkerimäki 
Di Giuseppe – Sasson – Karlsson 
Blais – Mueller – Klimovich 
Khaira – Wouters – Nielsen
Wolanin – Mancini 
Brisebois – Woo 
Hirose – Kudryavtsev
Silovs
<blockquote>First period: Down after 20</blockquote>
The home team wasted no time getting the crowd on their feet, with Arshdeep Bains setting up Jonathan Lekkerimäki for an early chance.
Bains got the inside track before sending the cross-crease feed, but Lekkerimäki was just slightly ahead of the puck and sent it just wide.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/i9h6MK2zqCneg3ByGV/giphy.gif" />
Unlike game one, the first period went quickly, with a good flow to the game and few stoppages.
Just over six minutes in, one of the lone stoppages came courtesy of a Roadrunners penalty. Arshdeep Bains was hauled down in his own end to send the Canucks on the game&#8217;s inaugural powerplay.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/9frBgo4dw6uZlgbkM9/giphy.gif" />
They enjoyed a few solid chances early, testing Jaxson Stauber with a few looks. None better than Sammy Blais, fresh off a two-goal game in game one, who rang a snapshot off the crossbar.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/nmsRiZzwYx7CHTa8Ex/giphy.gif" />
Just past midway, Linus Karlsson got caught with an undecided cross-check, sending him to the ice in obvious pain.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/UW2OWLNwID3FEAUZJW/giphy.gif" />
And of course, the Roadrunners capitalized on that missed call.
Despite the Canucks holding the majority of play in the first half, it was the Roadrunners who struck first blood.
Tucson goal – Ben McCartney – from Kevin Connauton and Andrew Agozzino
Working the cycle, the puck found its way to the point where Kevin Connauton ripped a quick shot. While on the move in the slot, Ben McCartney managed to get his stick on the shot, redirecting it past Arturs Silovs.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3owajfpRKvKVA5Yy2b/giphy.gif" />
The Runners have capitalized on neglected goals, scoring two just one night prior.
But the Canucks were not letting up.
Just moments after conceding a goal, they were right back at it, jamming away at another chance.
Aatu Räty provided the heads-up pass to find Jett Woo at the point, who sent a smart and quick shot toward the net. Sitting at the netfront was Bains, who jammed away furiously at the loose puck.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/wtc4n1vDEFfQK4nkmp/giphy.gif" />
Although Stauber had no clue where the puck was, he was able to cover it with a bit of help from his defenceman.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/EuE9jmFWCqZH7Ni8Lq/giphy.gif" />
But it was the visiting team gathering the best looks early.
Kickstarting the sloppy breakout, Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Victor Mancini combined for a pair of giveaways, forcing Silovs to stand tall.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/DIVfrlMv9q3apn1NTn/giphy.gif" />
But Lekkerimäki nearly redeemed himself, picking up two strong attempts from his spot on the half wall. He couldn&#8217;t beat the post or the goalie&#8217;s paddle.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/Z9H5M5649tqPQFvfP5/giphy.gif" />
The Canucks grabbed 16 shots in the period, and carried play For most of the opening period. However, the Roadrunners&#8217; decision to start Jaxon Stauber stole the show, with him stopping all shots to enjoy the 1-0 lead.
Shots: ABB 17, TUC 10 | Score: ABB 0, TUC 1
<blockquote>Second period: 31 shots, but nothing to show</blockquote>
Thanks to some extracurriculars at the first period buzzer, the Canucks enjoyed a full stretch of powerplay time with a clean sheet of ice.
Despite three shots on Stauber, their puck luck continued, and they just couldn&#8217;t beat the rested netminder.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/fpXBOQNI5xLmMYDAJJ/giphy.gif" />
And they would later pay for that missed opportunity, with the visitors doubling their lead.
Tucson goal – 2-0 – Andrew Agozzino from Ben McCartney and Artem Duda
Cutting into the circles was Andrew Agozzino, who collected the pass from McCartney. Although it had little force, he sent a perfectly placed shot above Silovs&#8217; shoulder to take the two-goal lead.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/todRAOavzdU3bhFtva/giphy.gif" />
If there was one goal that the Canucks&#8217; netminder wants back in the game, it&#8217;s probably this one. Although it was well placed, as he&#8217;s battling a netfront screen, there isn&#8217;t much to the shot that finds its way up top.
Looking to get something going, Ty Mueller broke through coverage to find himself all alone. Forced to take man, Tucson did what they could to save a goal, hauling the forward down to send the Canucks to their third man advantage.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/joKl4qwHxAaoYeFZJD/giphy.gif" />
Nothing would come of it, as they went 0/3 on the night en route to five scoreless opportunities. As mentioned at the top, missed opportunities on the powerplay played a significant role in the loss.
Eventually, you got the sense that the calls would start turning on the Canucks, and that&#8217;s precisely what happened.
They would take consecutive penalties to wrap up the period.
Luckily, the Canucks have their newly found secret weapon in Victor Mancini, who had taken form as a one-Man penalty killing show.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/6GRTji7wNJpSXEB3ef/giphy.gif" />
They were also committed to the defensive game in their zone, killing both penalties. To counteract their inability to score on the powerplay, they went a perfect 3/3 on penalty kills.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/t40ZwZYcLxuFkm1471/giphy.gif" />
Unfortunately, that didn&#8217;t matter. With seconds winding down, Tristen Nielsen coughed up the puck on an uncontested giveaway at the line.
Tucson goal – 3-0 – Kailer Yamamoto (unassisted)
Off to the races, Kailer Yamamoto made a pretty move to beat Silovs on the blocker side before slamming into the boards.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/9GSNJ8zYD343j0kIvf/giphy.gif" />
It&#8217;s a hard pill to swallow for Nielsen, considering the time remaining in the period. Instead of getting the puck deep, he elects for the cross-ice dish while his teammates are in the midst of a change, which leads to an unnecessary third goal. Not great.
Despite taking the 31-20 shooting advantage into the dressing room, the visitors had a 3-0 lead after two periods.
Shots: ABB 31, TUC 20 | Score: ABB 0, TUC 3
<blockquote>Third period: Game three, it is</blockquote>
Contrary to the middle frame, the Canucks began the third period down a man, successfully killing their third penalty kill.
And thank goodness, as that kick-started the scoring for the home team.
Abbotsford goal – 3-1 – Linus Karlsson from Aatu Räty and Sammy Blais
Thanks to the in-zone keep from Victor Mancini, Sammy Blais feathered the puck down to Räty for a shot on net. Although the attempt was stopped, Linus Karlsson swooped in to pounce on the rebound and kickstart the scoring.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/W1cyLMTGn7Lcz0dODQ/giphy.gif" />
Just before the midway point of the period, the Canucks were handed their fifth powerplay of the game.
However, despite a very early chance for Max Sasson, they let another opportunity slide by.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/QahfOQfvOW9eY6ie3Z/giphy.gif" />
With time their enemy, the Canucks nearly cut the deficit to one. Mancini threw the puck toward the net, and spinning for the rebound was Tristen Nielsen. Akito Hirose came in looking for the rebound, but couldn&#8217;t get free to pounce on the empty net.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/ROl1FmZ4QjpgwHDXCS/giphy.gif" />
And with that time running out, the Roadrunners delivered the dagger.
Tucson goal – 4-1 – Ben McCartney (empty net)
Right off the defensive zone face-off, McCartney flipped the puck up and over Mancini to spring himself on the break with the gaping net.
<img decoding="async" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/quZLsXvbfyanDQHLPc/giphy.gif" />
Despite The chance to put an end to Tucson’s season and enjoy the extended rest, the Canucks could not beat a well rested Jaxson Stauber.
When all was said and done, too many turnovers, unlucky puck bounces, and not enough from a few of their go-to threats led to a 4-1 loss.
Winner takes all the marbles on Saturday.
<blockquote>What’s next?</blockquote>
With the Tucson victory, this series heads to a do-or-die game three on Saturday, April 26th. Thanks to the Canucks’ 44 wins, they enjoy home-ice advantage, and they will need all of that boost to continue with their season. The puck drops at 7:00 pm at the Abbotsford Centre.
Sponsored by bet365
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&nbsp;

Victory was at their fingertips.
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&nbsp;

Buzzing off a <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/farmies-abby-canucks-game-1-home-defeating-tucson-4-3">game one victory just one night prior</a>, the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Abbotsford Canucks</a> had the chance to sweep their first round mini-series and send the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/abbotsford-canucks-game-day-looking-sweep-tucson-second-straight-win">Tucson Roadrunners packing</a>.

Unfortunately, a red-hot goaltender had other plans.

Despite the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">Canucks</a> jumping out the gate with some energy, the visiting team took advantage of some untimely giveaways and grinded the Canucks down goal-by-goal. Between their pipes, Jaxson Stauber was red-hot, stopping 38 of 39 Abby shots, taking home First Star honours with ease.

Special teams production, or lack thereof, played a significant role in the loss, as the home team could not take advantage of some key opportunities at various times in the game.

When all was said and done, Tucson willed their way toward a 4-1 victory, forcing a do-or-die Game three on Saturday night.

Let's check in on the action.
<blockquote>Starting lineup</blockquote>
Why change what works? The Abbotsford Canucks rode their hot hand, icing a near identical lineup. The one change came on the third line defensive pair, where Cole McWard slid in for rookie Kirill Kudryvtsev.

Unlike the Roadrunners, who swapped out netminder, the Canucks ran Arturs Silovs or back-to-back nights.

Bains – Räty – Lekkerimäki
Di Giuseppe – Sasson – Karlsson
Blais – Mueller – Klimovich
Khaira – Wouters – Nielsen

Wolanin – Mancini
Brisebois – Woo
Hirose – Kudryavtsev

Silovs
<blockquote>First period: Down after 20</blockquote>
The home team wasted no time getting the crowd on their feet, with Arshdeep Bains setting up Jonathan Lekkerimäki for an early chance.

Bains got the inside track before sending the cross-crease feed, but Lekkerimäki was just slightly ahead of the puck and sent it just wide.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/i9h6MK2zqCneg3ByGV/giphy.gif" />

Unlike game one, the first period went quickly, with a good flow to the game and few stoppages.

Just over six minutes in, one of the lone stoppages came courtesy of a Roadrunners penalty. Arshdeep Bains was hauled down in his own end to send the Canucks on the game's inaugural powerplay.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/9frBgo4dw6uZlgbkM9/giphy.gif" />

They enjoyed a few solid chances early, testing Jaxson Stauber with a few looks. None better than Sammy Blais, fresh off a two-goal game in game one, who rang a snapshot off the crossbar.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/nmsRiZzwYx7CHTa8Ex/giphy.gif" />

Just past midway, Linus Karlsson got caught with an undecided cross-check, sending him to the ice in obvious pain.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/UW2OWLNwID3FEAUZJW/giphy.gif" />

And of course, the Roadrunners capitalized on that missed call.

Despite the Canucks holding the majority of play in the first half, it was the Roadrunners who struck first blood.

Tucson goal – Ben McCartney – from Kevin Connauton and Andrew Agozzino

Working the cycle, the puck found its way to the point where Kevin Connauton ripped a quick shot. While on the move in the slot, Ben McCartney managed to get his stick on the shot, redirecting it past Arturs Silovs.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3owajfpRKvKVA5Yy2b/giphy.gif" />

The Runners have capitalized on neglected goals, scoring two just one night prior.

But the Canucks were not letting up.

Just moments after conceding a goal, they were right back at it, jamming away at another chance.

Aatu Räty provided the heads-up pass to find Jett Woo at the point, who sent a smart and quick shot toward the net. Sitting at the netfront was Bains, who jammed away furiously at the loose puck.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/wtc4n1vDEFfQK4nkmp/giphy.gif" />

Although Stauber had no clue where the puck was, he was able to cover it with a bit of help from his defenceman.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/EuE9jmFWCqZH7Ni8Lq/giphy.gif" />

But it was the visiting team gathering the best looks early.

Kickstarting the sloppy breakout, Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Victor Mancini combined for a pair of giveaways, forcing Silovs to stand tall.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/DIVfrlMv9q3apn1NTn/giphy.gif" />

But Lekkerimäki nearly redeemed himself, picking up two strong attempts from his spot on the half wall. He couldn't beat the post or the goalie's paddle.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/Z9H5M5649tqPQFvfP5/giphy.gif" />

The Canucks grabbed 16 shots in the period, and carried play For most of the opening period. However, the Roadrunners' decision to start Jaxon Stauber stole the show, with him stopping all shots to enjoy the 1-0 lead.

Shots: ABB 17, TUC 10 | Score: ABB 0, TUC 1
<blockquote>Second period: 31 shots, but nothing to show</blockquote>
Thanks to some extracurriculars at the first period buzzer, the Canucks enjoyed a full stretch of powerplay time with a clean sheet of ice.

Despite three shots on Stauber, their puck luck continued, and they just couldn't beat the rested netminder.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/fpXBOQNI5xLmMYDAJJ/giphy.gif" />

And they would later pay for that missed opportunity, with the visitors doubling their lead.

Tucson goal – 2-0 – Andrew Agozzino from Ben McCartney and Artem Duda

Cutting into the circles was Andrew Agozzino, who collected the pass from McCartney. Although it had little force, he sent a perfectly placed shot above Silovs' shoulder to take the two-goal lead.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/todRAOavzdU3bhFtva/giphy.gif" />

If there was one goal that the Canucks' netminder wants back in the game, it's probably this one. Although it was well placed, as he's battling a netfront screen, there isn't much to the shot that finds its way up top.

Looking to get something going, Ty Mueller broke through coverage to find himself all alone. Forced to take man, Tucson did what they could to save a goal, hauling the forward down to send the Canucks to their third man advantage.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/joKl4qwHxAaoYeFZJD/giphy.gif" />

Nothing would come of it, as they went 0/3 on the night en route to five scoreless opportunities. As mentioned at the top, missed opportunities on the powerplay played a significant role in the loss.

Eventually, you got the sense that the calls would start turning on the Canucks, and that's precisely what happened.

They would take consecutive penalties to wrap up the period.

Luckily, the Canucks have their newly found secret weapon in Victor Mancini, who had taken form as a one-Man penalty killing show.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/6GRTji7wNJpSXEB3ef/giphy.gif" />

They were also committed to the defensive game in their zone, killing both penalties. To counteract their inability to score on the powerplay, they went a perfect 3/3 on penalty kills.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/t40ZwZYcLxuFkm1471/giphy.gif" />

Unfortunately, that didn't matter. With seconds winding down, Tristen Nielsen coughed up the puck on an uncontested giveaway at the line.

Tucson goal – 3-0 – Kailer Yamamoto (unassisted)

Off to the races, Kailer Yamamoto made a pretty move to beat Silovs on the blocker side before slamming into the boards.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/9GSNJ8zYD343j0kIvf/giphy.gif" />

It's a hard pill to swallow for Nielsen, considering the time remaining in the period. Instead of getting the puck deep, he elects for the cross-ice dish while his teammates are in the midst of a change, which leads to an unnecessary third goal. Not great.

Despite taking the 31-20 shooting advantage into the dressing room, the visitors had a 3-0 lead after two periods.

Shots: ABB 31, TUC 20 | Score: ABB 0, TUC 3
<blockquote>Third period: Game three, it is</blockquote>
Contrary to the middle frame, the Canucks began the third period down a man, successfully killing their third penalty kill.

And thank goodness, as that kick-started the scoring for the home team.

Abbotsford goal – 3-1 – Linus Karlsson from Aatu Räty and Sammy Blais

Thanks to the in-zone keep from Victor Mancini, Sammy Blais feathered the puck down to Räty for a shot on net. Although the attempt was stopped, Linus Karlsson swooped in to pounce on the rebound and kickstart the scoring.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/W1cyLMTGn7Lcz0dODQ/giphy.gif" />

Just before the midway point of the period, the Canucks were handed their fifth powerplay of the game.

However, despite a very early chance for Max Sasson, they let another opportunity slide by.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/QahfOQfvOW9eY6ie3Z/giphy.gif" />

With time their enemy, the Canucks nearly cut the deficit to one. Mancini threw the puck toward the net, and spinning for the rebound was Tristen Nielsen. Akito Hirose came in looking for the rebound, but couldn't get free to pounce on the empty net.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/ROl1FmZ4QjpgwHDXCS/giphy.gif" />

And with that time running out, the Roadrunners delivered the dagger.

Tucson goal – 4-1 – Ben McCartney (empty net)

Right off the defensive zone face-off, McCartney flipped the puck up and over Mancini to spring himself on the break with the gaping net.

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/quZLsXvbfyanDQHLPc/giphy.gif" />

Despite The chance to put an end to Tucson’s season and enjoy the extended rest, the Canucks could not beat a well rested Jaxson Stauber.

When all was said and done, too many turnovers, unlucky puck bounces, and not enough from a few of their go-to threats led to a 4-1 loss.

Winner takes all the marbles on Saturday.
<blockquote>What’s next?</blockquote>
With the Tucson victory, this series heads to a do-or-die game three on Saturday, April 26th. Thanks to the Canucks’ 44 wins, they enjoy home-ice advantage, and they will need all of that boost to continue with their season. The puck drops at 7:00 pm at the Abbotsford Centre.

Sponsored by bet365
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&nbsp;

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