Wranglers Storm Back, Seize Third-Period Lead, Settle for Point in 4-3 Shootout Loss to Abbotsford
After Carter King put Calgary ahead early in the third, Abbotsford pushed back hard. The Canucks controlled much of the final period, outshooting the Wranglers 11-5 and eventually tying the game when Nils Åman found the net just past the midway point of the frame, sending a tight game toward overtime.
CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers clawed their way back from an early two goal hole, took the lead in the third period, and still walked out of Abbotsford with just a single point Saturday night as the Canucks prevailed 4-3 in a five round shootout at Rogers Forum.
The Wranglers showed real push after Abbotsford struck twice early, with Jonathan Lekkerimäki opening the scoring just 18 seconds into the game before Cooper Walker made it 2-0 at 3:27 of the second period. Calgary responded shortly thereafter.
Sam Morton got the Wranglers on the board at 4:52 of the second, finishing a setup from Matvei Gridin and Dryden Hunt for his fifth of the season. Less than three minutes later, Hunt tied the game himself, putting home his 10th to erase the deficit and shift the momentum.
Carter King gave the Wranglers their first lead at 5:31, converting on a sequence with David Silye and Nick Cicek picking up the assists.
Abbotsford would not go away. Nils Åman answered back at 11:13, knotting the game at three, with Lekkerimäki and Jett Woo earning helpers. That goal forced overtime and eventually a shootout after neither side could break through in the extra frame.
Aydar Suniev was the lone Calgary skater to score in the shootout, but Abbotsford found enough offense over five rounds to secure the extra point.
The Wranglers also had to battle adversity in net. Owen Say started the game and stopped seven of nine shots before leaving early with an injury. Arsenii Sergeev was sharp in relief, turning aside 16 of 17 (.941) shots the rest of the way and giving Calgary a chance to win.
Dryden Hunt led the Wranglers with a goal and an assist and was named the game’s third star. Lekkerimäki and Åman earned the top two stars for Abbotsford, each finishing with a goal and an assist.
Calgary now turns the page quickly with a rematch Sunday afternoon at Rogers Forum, puck drop set for 4:00 pm MT, as the Wranglers look to convert a strong road performance into a full two points.