Photo Credit Doug Westcott

With the Abbotsford Canucks coming off an impressive win in game one against the Bakersfield Condors you knew that the coaching staff would have the players ‘tuned-in” that would not only be physical but entertaining.

The visitors clearly had their backs to the wall and knowing that their season was on the link, they threw everything they had at the  Canucks, but given a sold-out crowd it wouldn’t be an easy task.

The winner of the series would advance to the second round of the 2022/23 Calder Cup playoffs with the only change that was noticeable was that both clubs changed “tender” for game two.

Abby would give Spencer Martin the night off going with Arturs Silovs while the Condors went with Winnipeg’s Calvin Pickard after having a stellar first game in the best of three.

We were asked where the tenders were from and replying to my emails Silvos is from Ventspils, Latvia while Pickard is from Winnipeg and no doubt cheering for the Jets.

Abby continued where they left off two night prior peppering shot after shot at the Condors outshooting them by a 16-5 margin after twenty minutes that saw both teams play a scoreless period.

Both clubs managed to keep the officials busy dealing out five minor’s to the Condors and a pair to Abby all which were minors.

As you can tell the contest was a heated match-up between with both clubs focused on advancing which say’s a lot about the fan support that Abby had not just for this series, but the overall season.

Abby managed to grab the first three PP chances while Bakersfield was also unable to capitalize on either chance with the first to Hoglander at 14:29 and the second to Wouters at 16:24

Canucks Jack Rathbone opened the scoring at 2:06 with helpers from Karlsson and Dowling followed by their second of the contest at 13:16 with Keeper in the box for slashing at 17:11 with Condors James Hamblin pulling them within one at 18:26.

The second saw a complete reversal of shots with the Condors outshooting the Canucks by a 15-6 margin and Abby holding a narrow 22-20 margin after managing only two minors to Abby’s three through 40 minutes 

The third would and could have gone either way with both teams having chances, but more so with Bakersfield who knew a loss and their season was officially over.

Lavoie, who led the Condors in goals throughout this past regular season got the Condors even at 3:30 of the third and for any team who plays aggressive only puts your team in a vulnerable position. 

Such was the case with the Condors who were assessed a pair of minors giving the Canucks a two man advantage that saw Höglander get his second of the playoffs putting the Canucks up at 7:36 while on the power play.

Bakersfield called a timeout and pulled their “tender” for the man advantage but the Canucks played solid in their zone that saw John Stevens’ empty net goal in the final minute send them to round two. 

Höglander managed to grab his second consecutive multi-point game that saw a total of 11 different Canucks find the scoresheet. 

Bakersfield’s Calvin Pickard stopped 29 of 32 while Canucks Silovs stopped 26 of 28 through 60 minutes helping his team advance to the second round.

At press time, it’s still uncertain who they will face in round two and we are hearing that if it’s Calgary Condors attempt in the evening.

Notes worth knowing: 

Abbotsford Canucks Christian Wolanin was named winner of the Eddie Shore Award as the top AHL defenseman and also managed to get himself a new two-year contract with the organization.

2022.23 FAN VOTED AWARD WINNERS

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – ARTURS SILOVS

FAN FAVOURITE – JACK RATHBONE

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – LINUS KARLSSON

UNSUNG HERO – JETT WOO

MAN OF THE YEAR – CHASE WOUTERS