The Abbotsford Canucks erupted for three goals in the second period, en route to a 7-4 win over the Laval Rocket to open the American Hockey League season in Quebec on Friday (Oct. 13).
After a back-and-forth first period that saw the two teams locked at two, Jack Rathbone wired a shot at 12:58 of the second to break that tie. Less than two minutes later Linus Karlsson pounced on a turnover and less than two minutes after that it was Vasily Podkolzin notching his second to essentially put the game out of reach for Laval.
Turnover by Laval leads to Karlsson goal, 4-2 Abbotsford late in the second
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
Arshdeep Bains and Christian Wolanin fueled the offence in the first, with the duo setting up Podkolzin on the power play at 7:58. The Rocket grabbed the lead back at 11:23, but Bains and Wolanin again teamed up to connect for a Nils Aman goal at 18:53.
The teams traded two goals apiece in the third, with Bains making it a four-point night with a goal at 8:48 and John Stevens adding an empty net goal at 19:02.
Bains scores to make it a casual four-point night. 6-3 Abbotsford
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
The Canucks chased Laval starting goalie Jakub Dobes from the crease in the second period after he allowed five goals on 15 shots. Silovs made 27 saves for Abbotsford and was excellent in the second and third periods.
Bains had a monster night offensively, collecting four points to lead all players. Cole McWard, Wolanin and Podkolzin all recorded multi-point nights. The plus/minus disparity on Abbotsford was notable, as Filip Johansson finished at a -3, while McWard was a +4.
Rathbone and Jett Woo led all Canucks with three shots on goal apiece. Abbotsford was outshot 31-22 in the win.
The two teams meet again tomorrow (Saturday) at noon. The game is free to view on the AHLTV streaming service.
Opening Night W: Secured 鉁�
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
