Fansided

Abbotsford Canucks check-in: First home games of the season

By Joshua Rey |
VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 26: Justin Bailey #95 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck during NHL action against the Minnesota Wild on October, 26, 2021 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 26: Justin Bailey #95 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck during NHL action against the Minnesota Wild on October, 26, 2021 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

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.

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.

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.

Danila Klimovich’s strong play in the American League continued as he made a great pass to John Stevens for Abbotsford’s second goal.

Madison Bowey scored the overtime winner.

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.

Next. Canucks: Travis Hamonic called up, Jack Rathbone sent to Abbotsford. dark

Check back next week for another Abbotsford check in!

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