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Abbotsford Canucks earn three of four points in Bakersfield

Vasily Podkolzin has five points in two games against Condors to lead Canucks
Ben Lypka
Ben Lypka
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Aidan McDonough and the Abbotsford Canucks earned three of four possible points against the Bakersfield Condors on Friday (Jan. 26) and Saturday (Jan. 27). (Abbotsford Canucks photo)

After a January that saw the Abbotsford Canucks get mostly mixed results, the club finished the month off strong by taking three of four points from the Bakersfield Condors in California on Friday (Jan. 26) and Saturday (Jan. 27).

The end of January also saw Abbotford’s dreadful power play finally start connecting. The Canucks scored two power play goals on Friday and three more on Saturday. Prior to Friday the Canucks had one power play goal in January.

Vasily Podkolzin was the star on Saturday, scoring twice on the power play and drawing an assist on Max Sasson’s game winner in a 3-2 overtime win for Abbotsford.

Condors forward and former Abbotsford Canuck Lane Pederson opened the scoring on Saturday at 5:27 of the first, but Podkolzin tied the game up at 13:49. The Russian product also drew some attention online by dropping the gloves with Bakersfield’s Raphael Lavoie at 5:03 of the first.

Podkolzin put the Canucks up 2-1 at 18:20 of the second, but Bakersfield’s Ben Gleason sent the game to overtime with a goal at 18:27 of the third. Sasson connected on the power play at 4:12 of overtime to seal the win for Abbotsford.

Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs made 28 saves to earn his 13th win on the season. Podkolzin and Sasson both had multi-point games for Abbotsford and Podkolzin also led the team with seven shots on goal. Saturday also marked the AHL debut for forward Cooper Walker. The son of former Vancouver Canuck Scott Walker recorded one shot on goal.

Podkolzin has now scored 13 goals and is tied with Sheldon Dries for the most on the Canucks.

Friday’s game saw Pederson also open the scoring for the Condos and his goal stood after one period.

The second period saw the chaos arrive with the teams combining for five goals and the clubs were knotted at three apiece. Abbotsford got goals from Chase Wouters, Podkolzin and Filip Johansson.

Unfortunately for Johansson, he was injured late on Friday and did not return that game or on Saturday. His status is currently not known.

A scoreless third period followed that explosive middle frame and Lavoie won the game in overtime for Bakersfield with a power play goal.

Silovs made 27 saves in the 4-3 loss. Podkolzin was the lone Canuck with a multi-point night and he led Abbotsford with five shots on goal.

The Canucks currently sit in fourth place in the Pacific Division with a record of 32-22-13-3. They now return home for games against the San Jose Barracuda on Friday (Feb. 2) and Saturday (Feb. 3).

Saturday’s game is being promoted as Vancouver Canucks Night, with multiple team alumni expected to be in attendance and meet and greet opportunities for fans.

Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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