The Abbotsford Canucks (12-12-3-1) came out on top against the San Diego Gulls (13-13-2-0) on Saturday night, winning 5-3 in front of their home fans at Abbotsford Centre. Joe Murdaca earned his first career AHL victory for Abbotsford and Francis Marrotte was credited with the loss for San Diego.
Tonight’s first period was full of firsts for the Abby Canucks. Arturs Silovs was originally scheduled to start tonight’s affair in net but was replaced at the last possible second by Joe Murdaca. Thus, the goaltender from Hamilton, ON made his first career AHL start between the pipes for the Canucks. Additionally, Yushiroh Hirano raced in and buried a one-timer feed from Nic Petan 10 seconds into the game for the first goal of the game. The tally was the first of the Tomakomai, Japan’s AHL career.
At the 8:04 mark of the first period, the Canucks doubled their lead thanks to Ashton Sautner’s first goal of the season (yet another first). Sautner had just been cleared from the Covid list and returned from the Vancouver Taxi Squad earlier in the day. Phil Di Giuseppe and Noah Juulsen combined with the helpers.
Kodie Curran cut the Abby lead in half at the 13:38 mark of the first period. Lucas Elvenes and Axel Andersson had the assists on the play. The score remained 2-1 at the end of the first 20 minutes.
Lucas Elvenes was tired of passing the puck and decided to score a goal at the 17:16 mark of the second period.
The Gulls nearly escaped the frame knotted at 2, but John Stevens was not having that. Stevens scored at the 19:01 mark to give the Canucks the lead once again. Di Giuseppe and Will Lockwood had the helpers as Abby took a 3-2 lead into the final frame.
The Canucks extended their lead to two goals when Will Lockwood found the back of the net halfway through the third period. Stevens set up the goal with a magnificent effort ultimately resulting in a pass to Lockwood that led to the marker. Stevens and Madison Bowey had the assists on the play.
Alex Limoges made it a one-score game with just over five minutes remaining, but Abbotsford put the game out of reach thanks to John Stevens’ second goal of the night at the 16:21 mark of the third period. Ashton Sautner and Noah Juulsen assisted on the insurance goal.
By Brian Helberg
PHOTO OF THE GAME
Ashton Sautner celebrates with Will Lockwood following Sautner’s first period goal.
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