As the Vancouver Canucks goalie carousel snagged Arturs Silovs and Nikita Tolopilo from Abbotsford, one man sat patiently, like he had all season, and might have had a grin.
After playing just six games in the AHL regular season, Zach Sawchenko was thrust into the starter role for the Abbotsford Canucks opening round playoff series against the Colorado Eagles.
STORY: Zach Sawchenko goes from the press box to playoff starter and makes 28 saves to help the @abbycanucks take a 1-0 series lead over @ColoradoEagles.
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) April 25, 2024
Game two of the best-of-three series is set for Friday at 6:05 – https://t.co/jY8nFBl7WV #Canucks
Ninety-nine saves over three games later, and Sawchenko has backstopped the Canucks to a 2-1 series win. He put an exclamation mark on that victory with a 47-save performance in Abbotsford’s 2-1 overtime win over Colorado in Sunday’s (April 28) elimination game three.
Sawchenko again coming up big. Eagles are pressing pic.twitter.com/QbUuB8CvgM
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) April 28, 2024
Sawchenko again. Eagles turning it up late in the second pic.twitter.com/8WWHvE2i2a
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) April 28, 2024
He turned aside shots like he swiped away doubts from Abbotsford Canucks fans after he was elevated to the starting role.
The Canucks opened the scoring at 14:42 of the first when Arshdeep Bains received a gift from Max Sasson on 14:42 and beat Eagles goalie Ivan Prosvetov.
Max "Money" Sasson with an incredible rush then sets up Bains. 1-0 Abbotsford pic.twitter.com/NrvEIHlPxt
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) April 28, 2024
That goal stood until 17:44 of the third when Sam Malinski connected on a power play goal. Abbotsford forward Aatu Räty took an untimely goaltender interference that led to the man advantage.
And Colorado ties the game because Raty was unable to stop 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/2NW7wB6dsH
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) April 28, 2024
The game may have gone sideways for Abbotsford even earlier, if not for the play of Sawchenko. He was outstanding in the third period and made 14 saves.
Overtime saw the Canucks apply some early pressure and both teams generated seven shots, but Bains set-up Wouters for the winner. The goal eliminated the Eagles from the playoffs.
WHO OTHER THAN THE CAPTAIN 🤩
— X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) April 29, 2024
Have a look at the goal that lauched us right into the the Pacific Division Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/UH1ylksX0M
Wouters deflects in the winner. Canucks have won the series 2-1 and now face Ontario #canucks pic.twitter.com/Y38FL92KKz
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) April 29, 2024
Abbotsford was outshot 48-39 in the game and Wouters led all players with two goals. The series winner is the biggest goal in the Canucks captain’s career.
The Canucks will now take on the Ontario Reign in the Pacific Division semi-final. Ontario swept the Bakersfield Condors in round one and clinched that series with a win on Saturday (April 27).
ROUND 2 BOUND 🤩 pic.twitter.com/UgMUL0U6Ci
— X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) April 29, 2024
The Canucks and Reign played eight times in the regular season, with each team winning four times. The best-of-five series goes Wednesday (May 1) and Friday (May 3) in Ontario. The series shifts back to Abbotsford for game three on Wednesday (May 8). Game four and game five, if necessary, will be May 10 and May 12 in Abbotsford.
The other Pacific Division semi-final sees the Calgary Wranglers matched up with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Keep visiting abbynews.com for ongoing coverage of the Canucks’ Calder Cup run.