ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – On a rainy October evening in the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford opened the doors at the Abbotsford Centre for their home opener against the Henderson Silver Knights. Abbotsford came into the contest with a record of 1-1-1 after opening the year with three straight road games in California.
Playing in front of 50 per cent capacity due to COVID-19 health protocols, the crowd was still very loud and created an electric atmosphere. Vancouver Canucks legends, Daniel and Henrik Sedin were on hand along with Stan Smyl and team owner Francesco Aquilini to take in the event.
In the opening frame, Buffalo native Justin Bailey opened the scoring for Abbotsford at home. The goal was Bailey’s 100th career AHL goal, and what a perfect time to get it.  Dashing down the left wing, Bailey slid a hard shot along ice to beat Silver Knights goalie Logan Thompson.
The second period saw no scoring, but a parade to the penalty box instead. There was a grand total of 18 minutes in penalties shared between the two teams, and they were all two-minute minors. The referees did a great job managing the game.
The final period started with the two teams still knotted at one goal each. However, Ben Jones scored a beautiful shorthanded goal 5:53 into the third to put the Knights up by one. Abbotsford would answer not even three minutes later as John Stevens found the back of the net on a slick feed from Danila Klimovich.
With the teams still tied after regulation, the game went to overtime on opening night in Abbotsford. At the midway mark of overtime, Abbotsford got a two-on-one opportunity with Justin Bailey setting up Madison Bowey for the game-winning goal.
The jubilant crowd in Abbotsford went home happy. Sunday at 4pm Abbotsford will once again host the Henderson Silver Knights at the Abbotsford Centre
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