The force was not with the Abbotsford Canucks on Saturday鈥檚 (Dec. 9) Star Wars Night against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
The Canucks fell 4-2 on Saturday inside the Abbotsford Centre and not even midi-chlorians could prevent the Firebirds from victory.
Star Wars Night 2023 鉁�
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
CV鈥檚 Max McCormick opened the scoring at 10:03, but Abbotsford got a new hope when Linus Karlsson tied the game up just 25 seconds later. Sheldon Dries then potted his 11th on the season and put Abbotsford up 2-1 at 17:23.
The Canucks led 2-1 after one and outshot the Firebirds 13-10 and the mood was more upbeat than the Mos Eisley cantina on a weekend.
He's (shel)-done it again!
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
But that feeling wouldn鈥檛 last as the empire struck back in the second, with the Firebirds getting goals from Jaycob Megna (5:46), Ville Ottavainen (9:45) and Luke Henman (14:07) to take the 4-2 lead. That margin would hold up for the third and the Firebirds earned the win.
Nikita Tolopilo made 31 saves in a losing cause and the Canucks were outshot 35-24. Dries led all Canucks with five shots on goal. Forwards Arshdeep Bains and Tristen Nielsen had rough nights on the plus/minus front, as both players finished the night at -4.
We have ourselves a costume contest winner! 馃弳
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
Saturday was the first-ever Star Wars Night for the team, with fans being encouraged to dress in Star Wars costumes and a costume contest occurring. The entire night was themed for the popular film series, with Darth Vader even on hand to drop the puck for the opening face-off.
Some fans also received a limited edition Abbotsford Canucks lightsaber.
Managed to get my hands on an lightsaber. These were sold in packages and also individually for last Saturday's game.
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
Saturday鈥檚 loss came off of another 4-2 loss on Friday (Dec. 8) against the Firebirds.
The Canucks were called for eight minor penalties, including three tripping calls in the third period. Abbotsford was also outshot 36-25, with Arturs Silovs making 32 saves in the loss.
Dries opened the scoring in the first, but the Firebirds grabbed a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. Nielsen tied the game back up at 16:29 of the second to end the middle frame tied at two.
Nice work by Dries, Studnicka and Nielsen. 1-0 Abbotsford
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
CV鈥檚 Shane Wright scored the eventual game winning goal on the power play at 10:55 and the Firebirds added an empty net goal at 18:42 to pick up the win. Dries again led all Canucks with five shots on goal.
The Canucks now drop to fourth place in the Pacific Division after the pair of losses to the Firebirds. The club鈥檚 record sits at 13-7-1-0.
A concern for the team continues to be the sputtering power play, which now ranks 30th in the AHL after this weekend. Abbotsford has gone 11 for 83 this season (13.3 per cent) and are operating at just 10.4 per cent on home ice.
The Canucks now hit the road for games in the California and Arizona this week. They battled the Firebirds again on Wednesday (Dec. 13), but results were not available at press time. The club then travels to the desert for games against the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday (Dec. 15) and Saturday (Dec. 16).
The next home game is set for Oct. 20, when the Ontario Reign come to the AC.
