The Abbotsford Canucks continue to be hotter than the Arizona sun and have now rolled off eight straight wins after sweeping the Tucson Roadrunners in the desert on Friday (Jan. 24) and Saturday (Jan. 25).
The streak is just one win away from tying the franchise's all-time win streak record, which was nine set in the 2021-22 season.
Friday saw the Canucks battle back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the first and second periods respectively to escape with a 3-2 win.
Rookie Jonathan Lekkerimäki scored the game winner with just 21 seconds left in the game to secure the win. Abbotsford also got goals from Erik Brännström and Dino Kambeitz.
Massive goal there by Lekkerimaki. Commentary was silent for like 30 seconds after he scored, hope he's doing ok pic.twitter.com/Px4HnoLnU1
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 25, 2025
Nikita Tolopilo made 21 saves for his 11th win on the season. AHL player of the week Aatu Räty recorded a pair of assists and Brännström also had a two point night.
The Canucks followed up that performance with a 6-2 win over the Roadrunners on Saturday.
A four-goal second period set the tone for the win, as Abbotsford trailed 2-1 after one. Forward Sammy Blais got the Canucks on the board in the first.
Räty, Tristen Nielsen, Nils Åman and Danila Klimovich all lit the lamp in the second. Klimovich added the lone goal in the final frame.
TOOK OVER TUCSON 💪 pic.twitter.com/643clUBNuR
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) January 26, 2025
Arturs Silovs made 20 saves for the win and he has now won his last four AHL starts.
Klimovich, Brännström, Nielsen, Åman and Kirill Kudryavtsev all posted two point nights. Klimovich also recorded a team-high six shots on goal.
Lekkerimäki crashes head first into the boards, his night looks over #Canucks pic.twitter.com/fkgZrYW6Az
— Scott Spitters (@scott_spitters) January 26, 2025
A scary incident occurred in the third period when Lekkerimäki lost his footing and crashed dangerously into the boards. He did not return to the game, but Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin stated on Sunday (Jan. 26) that he believes that it is not a serious injury.
Abbotsford's record now sits at 22-15-1-1 and they rank sixth in the Pacific Division. The entire division is a logjam, with just four points seperating second and sixth.
Saturday also saw the NHL debut for rookie defenceman Elias Pettersson. The AHL all-star played 10:37, was a +1 and recorded two hits in a 2-1 Vancouver win over the Washington Capitals.
A night to remember.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 26, 2025
Congrats, Elias! 👏#Canucks | @McDonaldsCanada pic.twitter.com/tJKNUGJOLM
Abbotsford next returns home to host the Calgary Wranglers with games on Friday (Jan. 31) and Saturday (Feb. 1).
