The Abbotsford Canucks continue to be hotter than the Arizona sun and have now rolled off eight straight wins after sweeping the Tucson Roadrunners in the desert on Friday (Jan. 24) and Saturday (Jan. 25).
The streak is just one win away from tying the franchise's all-time win streak record, which was nine set in the 2021-22 season.
Friday saw the Canucks battle back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the first and second periods respectively to escape with a 3-2 win.
Rookie Jonathan Lekkerim盲ki scored the game winner with just 21 seconds left in the game to secure the win. Abbotsford also got goals from Erik Br盲nnstr枚m and Dino Kambeitz.
Massive goal there by Lekkerimaki. Commentary was silent for like 30 seconds after he scored, hope he's doing ok
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
Nikita Tolopilo made 21 saves for his 11th win on the season. AHL player of the week Aatu R盲ty recorded a pair of assists and Br盲nnstr枚m also had a two point night.
The Canucks followed up that performance with a 6-2 win over the Roadrunners on Saturday.
A four-goal second period set the tone for the win, as Abbotsford trailed 2-1 after one. Forward Sammy Blais got the Canucks on the board in the first.
R盲ty, Tristen Nielsen, Nils 脜man and Danila Klimovich all lit the lamp in the second. Klimovich added the lone goal in the final frame.
TOOK OVER TUCSON 馃挭
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
Arturs Silovs made 20 saves for the win and he has now won his last four AHL starts.
Klimovich, Br盲nnstr枚m, Nielsen, 脜man and Kirill Kudryavtsev all posted two point nights. Klimovich also recorded a team-high six shots on goal.
Lekkerim盲ki crashes head first into the boards, his night looks over
鈥� Scott Spitters (@scott_spitters)
A scary incident occurred in the third period when Lekkerim盲ki lost his footing and crashed dangerously into the boards. He did not return to the game, but Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin stated on Sunday (Jan. 26) that he believes that it is not a serious injury.
Abbotsford's record now sits at 22-15-1-1 and they rank sixth in the Pacific Division. The entire division is a logjam, with just four points seperating second and sixth.
Saturday also saw the NHL debut for rookie defenceman Elias Pettersson. The AHL all-star played 10:37, was a +1 and recorded two hits in a 2-1 Vancouver win over the Washington Capitals.
A night to remember.
鈥� Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
Congrats, Elias! 馃憦 |
Abbotsford next returns home to host the Calgary Wranglers with games on Friday (Jan. 31) and Saturday (Feb. 1).
