Coming off your first win in 11 games, the expectation – or, at least the hope – is to take that momentum and build. Well, with the team travelling to San Diego, this game wasn’t so much about building as it was collapsing.

Despite a decent start to the game, the Abbotsford Canucks collapsed in front of their netminder, offering high-grade odd-man rushes and backdoor tap-ins aplenty.

After a win to snap an incredible skid just four days ago, they are back to their losing ways after suffering a 7-0 beatdown at the hands of the San Diego Gulls.

The small silver lining to the game was the return of Jonathan Lekkerimäki, who drew in for his AHL season debut. Although he never sniffed a point, he was the team’s most dangerous player by a country mile with six shots on target. Of course, his addition highlights a glaring issue with this team.

You see, just 15 games into the 2025-26 season, Lekkerimäki became the 32nd skater, many of whom have been ECHL-calibre players, to have dressed for this team. That’s not to mention the six netminders used already. To compare, the Canucks used just 35 skaters and four goalies through all 72 games in their 2024-25 Calder Cup regular season.

To expect a team navigating through such turnover is nearly impossible. But that doesn’t equate to being pushovers on the ice, and tonight, that’s precisely what the Abbotsford Canucks were.

Alriksson–Aman–Lekkerimäki
Kunz–Mueller–Durandeau
Labate–Khaira–Berard
Poisson–Wouters–Klimovich

Schuldt –Mynio
Knyzhov–Kudryavtsev
Arntsen–Daschke

Young

Scratched: Anri Ravinskis, Phip Waugh, Dino Kambeitz, Josh Bloom, Jake Murray
Injured: Jett Woo, Guillaume Brisebois, Nikita Tolopilo, Cooper Walker, Chase Stillman

The Abbotsford faithful were reminded early what it was like having a bona fide shooter on the team, as Jonathan Lekkerimäki was firing early and often.

He finished the period with a period-high four shots and was dangerous for most of the period. His first look came from a neutral zone regroup, collecting the puck on the curl before entering the zone and firing a shot that tested Ville Husso up high on the shoulder.

Just moments later, fellow Swede Vilmer Alriksson kept his feet moving before being brought down on the zone entry, sending the Canucks on the first power play of the game.

The Canucks have been struggling to find wins all season, but with a power play clicking over 26%, scoring on the man advantage hasn’t been an issue. And on brand, they were snapping it around with purpose.

Abbotsford picked up several strong looks, all of which came from distance shots that created havoc in the crease.

But they weren’t the ones who benefited in the end.

Following a Lekkerimäki point shot, the Canucks jammed at a few rebound opportunities before Joseph Labate sent a weak pass back to the point. Swiping at the puck was Sawyer Mynio, who had the puck chipped by him courtesy of a hungry Justin Bailey.

Off to the races, the former Canuck beat a tired Lekkerimäki before delivering a patient forehand move to slide it past Ty Young.

Hoping to regain momentum quickly, Lekkerimäki wasn’t done collecting chances. He and his lieutenants connected for several looks over the next few moments, and by all accounts, were holding down play.

But the Gulls understood how to capitalize when they were given their chances.

Courtesy of a tremendous individual effort, Judd Caulfield overpowered Mynio, somehow staying on his feet before cutting back to slide through all on his own. With the Canucks backcheckers barrelling down on him, he took it to the forehand to chip up and over Ty Young to double their lead.

And Judd wasn’t done there.

Later in the period, while attacking a scattered Canucks line change, Nathan Gaucher threaded the perfect pass to a streaking Caulfield, who found himself behind the defence and one-on-one with Young.

Going short side again, he snuck one past the shoulder to send his team to the dressing room with a trio of goals.

For what it’s worth, the Canucks hadn’t played a poor period, per se. They outshot their opponents and collected several decent looks on Husso. Unfortunately, a few defensive lapses led to odd-man rushes that Young could not hold down.

The Gulls picked up where they left off, adding to their lead in the opening minutes.

We’ve discussed rebounds being an issue for Ty Young already this season, and on the Gulls’ fourth goal, that issue was on display again.

Following a point shot save, the puck sprang out in front. Outmuscling Joe Arntsen was Gulls captain Ryan Carpenter, who kicked the puck to his stick and deposited it past Young.

From there, tempers began to flare for the visibly frustrated Canucks. Exacting pleasantries in the corner were Noah Warren and Captain Chase Wouters. After having had enough of each other, the two dropped the mitts and tussled.

You can’t blame a captain for attempting to fire up his team. Unfortunately, that spirit never really made its way to the Abbotsford bench. They managed just five shots over the course of the period, and that included two power play attempts.

Unlike the first period, where they had a noticeable jump, the Canucks had absolutely no response in the middle frame.

Abbotsford collected its best chance of the entire game just seconds into the final frame.

While enjoying puck possession on a delayed call, Ty Mueller was sprung on his own right out of the penalty box. On that break, he attempted to make the move to the forehand before the puck bobbled over his stick.

We love it when we find moments that sum up a game well, and that could have been the perfect poster shot for how this one had gone thus far.

After two more failed power play attempts from the visitors, the Gulls extended their lead.

Following the initial shot, the puck slid out to the slot, where sharpshooting Sam Colangelo was standing all alone. He ripped a perfect shot that beat Young clean.

And they kept on pushing.

While on the 5-on-3, Tim Washe found himself alone in the circles. Taking his time, he sent a perfect saucer pass to Sacha Pastujov, who scored on the one-timer.

Justin Bailey struck again.

With the Gulls refusing to let up, they pressed hard in the Canucks end with chances. The puck reached the blueline before sending a backdoor feed to Bailey. Somehow, he was left on his own, hanging Young to dry as he deposited the puck into an empty cage.

What’s to say? Coming off a big win in Abbotsford on Wednesday, the Canucks had no response at any point in this game. Despite an “okay” first period, the final two showed that they were incredibly outmatched with just eight shots.

Yes, injuries and call-ups continue to plague this roster, but you still can’t help but call out the lack of push in this one.

The Canucks head back to Coachella Valley for a rare single-game date with the Firebirds. Puck drop at 5:00 pm PT at the Acrisure Arena.