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Abbotsford Canucks’ comeback falls short in 5-4 overtime loss in game two

Elimination game three between Abbotsford and the Colorado Eagles set for Sunday (April 28)
Ben Lypka
Ben Lypka
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The Abbotsford Canucks fell 5-4 in overtime to the Colorado Eagles in game two on Friday (April 26). Game three, which is an elimination game, is set for Sunday (April 28). (Abbotsford Canucks photo)

It was set to be the biggest playoff comeback in Abbotsford Canucks history – until suddenly it wasn’t.

Abbotsford trailed 4-1 halfway through Friday’s (April 26) game two, but slowly chipped away and made it a one-goal game late in the second.

Akito Hirose’s tying goal at 10:47 of the third eventually sent the game to overtime, only for Colorado’s Brad Hunt to put a dagger in game two and help Colorado earn the 5-4 just 3:06 into the extra frame.

The heartbreaking loss ties the best-of-three series at 1-1, meaning game three on Sunday (April 28) will be an elimination game. Face-off is set for 2:05 p.m. in Colorado.

The Canucks had a mostly listless first 30 minutes on Friday, managing just five shots in the first period despite having four minutes of power play time compared to none for Colorado. The Eagles got goals from Nikolai Kovalenko at 13:09 and Tanner Kero at 14:25, but the Canucks got a late reply from Aatu Räty.

Abbotsford again came out flat in the first 10 minutes of the second, and the Eagles made it 4-1 after goals from Callahan Burke at 6:06 and Spencer Smallman at 9:28.

The Canucks comeback then began, as Christian Wolanin (10:53) and Linus Karlsson made it a one-goal game after two.

The tying goal was a spectacular defensive play by Cole McWard, who stopped on a two-on two chance for Colorado and then rifled a pass into the offensive zone. Hirose tied it up moments later.

Abbotsford was outshot 29-24 in the game and starting goalie Zach Sawchenko made 24 saves in the loss. Canucks players John Stevens, Sheldon Dries, Chase Wouters, Filip Johansson and Tristen Nielsen all finished at -2.

Karlsson and Räty both were a +2 and each had two points.

Abbotsford has a franchise record of 1-2 when they face elimination in the playoffs. They lost game two to Bakersfield in 2022, but won game three against the Calgary Wranglers in 2o23 to stay alive. The Canucks then dropped game four to the Wranglers.

Keep visiting abbynews.com for continuing coverage of the Abbotsford Canucks run in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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