The fiery Abbotsford Canucks extended their franchise-record winning streak to nine games with a 4-2 win over the Bakersfield Condors on Tuesday (April 28) inside the Abbotsford Centre.
But more importantly, the win brought the Canucks one big step closer to securing home-court advantage in the first round of the American Hockey League best-of-three playoffs.
Abbotsford now need just one point from the club’s last two games to guarantee the ice at home. Two points would move them past the Colorado Eagles and secure third place. The team could still finish fourth and have ice at home if it gets zero points, provided the Bakersfield Condors lose to the Stockton Heat on Saturday.
Still, none of the math could matter if the Canucks play like they did in Tuesday’s crucial game.
Disc drop in @AbbyCentre for a crucial game with playoff implications like @abbycanucks host @Condors pic.twitter.com/RlYk2Ud2v2
—Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) April 27, 2022
The Condors opened the scoring at 6:15 when Seth Griffith beat Canucks goalie Michael DiPietro, but Sheldon Rempal answered 56 seconds later to tie the game. Abbotsford outshot Bakersfield 12-8 in the first half.
Second was all of Abbotsford, as Matt Alfaro scored his seventh after a fine set-up from Jett Woo at 2:19. Madison Bowey tricked Condors goaltender Stuart Skinner with a spot shot at 7:36 p.m. to give the Canucks some breathing room and a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.
Madison Bowey with an absolute missile 🚀
Bowey makes it a 3⃣-1⃣ game at Abbotsford#AbbyCanucks | @EC_Managed_IT pic.twitter.com/fwR5M04nfj
– X – Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) April 27, 2022
Penalties dominated the third, but both keepers managed to keep the puck out of the net until Rempal scored his second of the night and 33rd of the season at 15:57. Adam Cracknell added a late goal for the Condors.
Bowey, Rempal and Justin Dowling all had two-point nights, and Dowling especially showed a lot of creative offensive flair. He set up both of Rempal’s goals. Rempal leads the team with 69 points in 53 games and was named the first star.
Abbotsford outshot Bakersfield 32-22 in the game and Jack Rathbone led all players with six shots. DiPietro was the second star and made 20 saves. He has won his last six starts and his record improves to 15-11-4-0. The Canucks’ record now stands at 39-21-5-1 and their scoring percentage sits at an impressive .636. They remain in third place in the Pacific Division and if they remain there they would face the Henderson Silver Knights.
“It was a great game against a potential playoff opponent… I was very happy [with the result].”
🗣️ Head Coach Trent Cull#AbbyCanucks pic.twitter.com/1Gs3A8ceUo
– X – Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) April 27, 2022
Head coach Trent Cull said he was pleased with his team’s play, especially in the second period. He added that he is delighted with the way DiPietro has stepped up.
“He had the most starts earlier this year and I think it was good for him to have some competition in our locker room,” he said, alluding to teammate Spencer Martin. “I think that has been part of his development and he needs to be pushed. The best thing is that he went through all of that and he has grown from it.”
Cull also confirmed that forward Justin Bailey was injured tonight and is out every day with an upper body injury. Bailey left the game in the first period and was holding onto his arm. He has suffered shoulder injuries in the past.
The Canucks now head to Winnipeg for the final two games of the regular season against the Manitoba Moose. Clubs meet on Thursday (April 28) and Saturday (April 30). The teams have played six times this season, with the Canucks winning four of those games.
Visit abbynews.com for more coverage of the Canucks’ run for the playoffs.
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Canucks forward Justin Dowling had a strong game with two key assists. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Canucks forward Matt Alfaro shoves a Condors player after the whistle. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Canucks forward John Stevens has an argument with Condors forward Adam Cracknell before the puck drop in the second period. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Reference-www.abbynews.com