A historic third period collapse left a sour taste for the Abbotsford Canucks after what were five good periods of hockey against the San Diego Gulls on Saturday (Nov. 2) and Sunday (Nov. 3).
Abbotsford's Cole McWard put the Canucks up 4-1 just 47 seconds into the third period on Sunday, but what followed was a total team meltdown.
The Gulls comeback didn't start till 10:08 of the third, but when it rained it poured and by 16:30 San Diego was suddenly up 5-4. They added an empty net goal to reach the 6-4 final. It's believed to be the biggest third period comeback in the history of the Gulls franchise.
And the collapse is complete, 5-4 San Diego now. Abbotsford was up 4-1 early in this period pic.twitter.com/ERpy3oe1Xe
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 4, 2024
The disastrous third period overshadowed what was an excellent first two periods for Abbotsford, who were led by rookie Jonathan Lekkerimäki. The 2023 first round draft pick scored two goals in the first period and he's now riding a four-game point streak. The Canucks led 2-0 after one.
Beauty goal by Lekkerimaki, point streak extends to four games pic.twitter.com/hwuP0bGjUU
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 4, 2024
Good forecheck by Lekkerimaki and it leads to his second goal on the night. pic.twitter.com/2Y20JTPEtp
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 4, 2024
Max Sasson scored his third on the season early in the second period, with San Diego breaking Jiri Patera's shutout at 9:53 of the second. The Canucks led 3-1 after two before the frightening final frame.
Sasson makes it 3-0 early in the second pic.twitter.com/epmnK55i0R
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 4, 2024
San Diego out shot Abbotsford 33-27, with Lekkerimäki recording a team-high six shots on goal. The pair of Jett Woo and Guillaume Brisebois were -4 and -3 respectively. Aatu Räty and Sasson also had two-point nights.
Sunday also saw the return of Nils Åman to Abbotsford. The Vancouver Canucks placed him on waivers on Saturday and he cleared. He played on the top line with Räty and Lekkerimäki and collected one assist and one shot on goal.
Sunday's crumbling comes off a solid outing on Saturday that saw the Canucks control the Gulls for 60 minutes and post a 3-1 win.
John Stevens and Räty scored three points apiece in the win. Patera had an excellent game and made 26 saves. Lekkerimäki did draw one assist and again led the Canucks with six shots on goal. He now leads all rookies with 34 shots on goal and has collected that amount in just six games.
Raty sets up Stevens to put the Canucks up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/ptcZdRSGV6
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 3, 2024
Forward Danila Klimovich did not draw into the lineup on Saturday or Sunday and the team has not yet explained his absence in the lineup. Heading into the weekend he was the team's leading scorer with five points.
The Canucks remain on the road and next head to Ontario to take on the Reign on Wednesday (Nov. 6). The club returns home for games against the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday (Nov. 9) and Sunday (Nov. 10). Saturday's game is being promoted as Country Night and Sunday's is being billed as Armed Forces Night.
For more information on the team, visit abbotsford.canucks.com.
