It’s time to check in on the Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate down the road, the Abbotsford Canucks.
The AHL Canucks played their first home games at the Abbotsford Centre.
Fans from all over the Fraser Valley got to see Vancouver’s AHL club in action. Unlike the big club, the games were at 50% capacity but the atmosphere apparently was still electric.
Reflecting on last night’s Abbotsford #Canucks home opener, I gotta say that it was a pretty cool experience.
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) October 23, 2021
The team’s fast end entertaining but most importantly, the atmosphere is electric — it got a lot louder than I expected in there. Good vibes for Day 1.
Abbotsford games can be streamed on AHL TV. (Subscription required.) It was announced before the home opener that James Cybulski would be calling the games.
My good pal James Cybulski will be the play by play voice for the Abby Canucks starting tonight in the home opener streaming on AHL TV.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) October 22, 2021
Excited to be on the mic calling the @abbycanucks home opener on @TheAHL TV. Clearly @DhaliwalSports doesn’t miss a scoop. Let’s go!!! 🏒🥅🚨 pic.twitter.com/WtPZVeEr3j
— James Cybulski (@JamesCybulski) October 23, 2021
Cybulski is a former Sportsnet 650 host and the play-by-play voice in the EA Sports NHL video games.
Previous Games
October 22: Henderson Silver Knights (2) @ Abbotsford Canucks (3) (OT)
October 24: Henderson Silver Knights (0) @ Abbotsford Canucks (4)
October 29: Ontario Reign (5) @ Abbotsford Canucks (2)
October 30: Ontario Reign (3) @ Abbotsford Canucks (2) (OT)
Abbotsford welcomed the Vegas Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate the Henderson Silver Knights for their home opener.
Justin Bailey scored the first ever goal at the Abbotsford Canucks goal at Abbotsford Centre. It turns out that was his 100th AHL goal.
WHAT A MOMENT!
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 23, 2021
Justin Bailey's 100th career AHL goal and the first home goal in the history of the #AbbotsfordCanucks.@JamesCybulski on the call 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/DPtCUjSAdB
Danila Klimovich’s strong play in the American League continued as he made a great pass to John Stevens for Abbotsford’s second goal.
Great pass from Danila Klimovich to set up this goal 🙌 John Stevens buries it to tie the game at 2⃣ for the #AbbotsfordCanucks! pic.twitter.com/xu5JbKMm3v
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 23, 2021
Madison Bowey scored the overtime winner.
WE WIN!!!
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 23, 2021
What a way to end a magical night! #AbbotsfordCanucks win 3-2 in overtime thanks to Madison Bowey.
A night we won’t soon forget. Thanks for the love Abby
💚💙 pic.twitter.com/2PJoHZWgSk
In the second game against the Silver Knights, Arturs Silovs stood tall making 29 saves in a 3-0 win. Nic Petan scored two goals and Sheldon Dries got the other.
The day of Vancouver’s home opener, the big club called up Bailey.
“When Justin Bailey has a little bit of a snarl, when he’s uncomfortable sometimes, he plays with that and I think he plays better,” said Abbotsford head coach Trent Cull.
Abbotsford couldn’t beat the Ontario Reign when they came to town.
Dries continued to score, getting two against the Reign on October 29. However, the Reign won 5-2.
It was a closer game the next night but the Reign won 3-2 in overtime. Spencer Martin made 33 saves. Dries got another goal and Phil Di Giuseppe scored for Abbotsford.
Travis Hamonic, who was away from the organization due to personal reasons suited up for Abbotsford in that game. He had the assist on Di Giuseppe’s goal.
https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1454648365824626688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1454648365824626688%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcanucksarmy.com%2F2021%2F10%2F31%2Finside-travos-hamonic-surprise-return-game-action-saturday-abbotsford-canucks%2F
On Monday, he was called up by Vancouver and Jack Rathbone was sent to Abbotsford.
This week’s games
November 5: Abbotsford Canucks @ Stockton Heat. 7:00 PM
November 6: Abbotsford Canucks @ Stockton Heat. 6:00 PM
Sheldon Dries and Sheldon Rempal are tied in the team lead in points with seven. Dries also leads Abbotsford in goals with five.
Check back next week for another Abbotsford check in!