Sergeev Stops 40, Frk Hits 20 as Wranglers Fall 3–2 in Shootout to Abbotsford
A four-goal third period sent the game to a shootout, where Sergeev’s 40-save effort and Frk’s 20th goal were not enough as Calgary fell 3–2 at the Saddledome.
(Photo by David Moll / Calgary Wranglers)
CALGARY — A four-goal third period sent Friday’s matchup to a shootout, where the Calgary Wranglers fell 3–2 to the Abbotsford Canucks at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Arsenii Sergeev stopped 40 of 42 shots for a .952 save percentage, and Martin Frk tied the game midway through the third with his 20th goal of the season, reaching that mark for the fourth consecutive AHL campaign.
The point moves Calgary to within three points of a Pacific Division playoff spot as the stretch drive continues.
Abbotsford broke through 52 seconds into the third period when Ben Berard scored his 12th of the season. Calgary responded quickly. Sam Morton tied the game at 3:36, finishing off a play set up by Dryden Hunt, who recorded his 27th assist in his return to the lineup.
Lukas Reichel restored Abbotsford’s lead at 9:28 of the third before Frk answered again at 11:13, wiring his 20th goal of the season off feeds from William Strömgren and Justin Kirkland.
Neither side converted in overtime, sending the game to a shootout. Abbotsford converted on both of its attempts to seal the extra point.
Jiří Patera stopped 32 of 34 shots for the Canucks, posting a .941 save percentage in the victory.
Calgary’s penalty kill units went 1-for-1, while they finished 0-for-3 on the power play.
The two clubs meet again Sunday afternoon at the Saddledome.
Wranglers push late but fall 3–2 in Abbotsford rematch
A one-goal game came down to a single third-period strike as Calgary outshot Abbotsford late but could not find the equalizer. Dryden Hunt and Matvei Gridin drove the Wranglers offense, while Arsenii Sergeev kept the game within reach with an .864 save percentage in a tight Pacific Division battle.
CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers pushed late but came up one goal short Sunday night, falling 3–2 to the Abbotsford Canucks at Rogers Forum as the Pacific Division rivals wrapped up their weekend set.
Abbotsford opened the scoring just 58 seconds into the game when Nick Poisson struck early to give the Canucks a quick 1–0 lead. Calgary answered midway through the period as Sam Morton continued his strong stretch, scoring at 12:22 on a play set up by Dryden Hunt and Matvei Gridin.
The Canucks regained the lead late in the first when Ty Mueller scored at 17:41, sending Abbotsford into the intermission up 2–1.
Calgary pulled even early in the second period. Hunt tied the game at 4:30, finishing a sequence created by Gridin and Étienne Morin. The goal capped a productive weekend for Hunt, who recorded four points over the two games against Abbotsford.
The deciding moment came midway through the third period when Anri Ravinskis broke the deadlock at 10:24, converting a feed from Nils Åman and Derek Daschke to give the Canucks a 3–2 lead.
Calgary pressed for the equalizer late, outshooting Abbotsford 6–4 in the third period, but could not find a way past the Canucks defense. Arsenii Sergeev made the start for the Wranglers, stopping 19 of 22 shots faced (.864) to keep the game tight into the final minutes.
Ravinskis was named the game’s first star after scoring the game winner, while Poisson earned second star honors for his opening goal and Daschke was the third star after recording an assist on the decisive tally.
The Wranglers now return home for a Battle in Berta weekend against the Bakersfield Condors, beginning Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.