Game 2 didn’t quite go the way the Abbotsford Canucks would have wanted it to, as Abbotsford lost 4–1 to the Tucson Roadrunners. Linus Karlsson scored the lone goal for the AHL Canucks. Artūrs Šilovs made his second start in as many nights, stopping 28 of 31 shots against. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

3 Canucks Prospects Advance To The 2025 CHL Conference Finals

Canucks O'Connor Joins Garland On Team USA At The 2025 IIHF World Championship

What Went Wrong For The 2024-25 Vancouver Canucks: Injuries

Abbotsford started the game a slight step behind, with Tucson gaining the puck the majority of the time to start the first period. One part of this was Abbotsford’s difficulties with entering Tucson’s zone. In their first power play opportunity, they were unable to get set up properly and later failed to carry possession back into 5-on-5. During their second man-advantage, they gave the puck away at the blue line, allowing two quality chances for the Roadrunners. 

The game’s opening goal came off a play that left Abbotsford and their fans upset. Linus Karlsson took a cross-check to the face from Maveric Lamoreux off a draw, causing a stoppage in play. While Karlsson appeared to be hurt, he did stay on the bench and continued playing after. Off the next draw, Ben McCartney fired the puck past Šilovs to send Tucson up by one.  

Much like Abbotsford’s 4–3 win from last night, tonight was another chippy affair. Both teams leveled one-another with heavy hits and physical play, with the first period ending with gloves flying and helmets being ripped off after some rough play around the Roadrunners’ crease. The skirmish ended with the AHL Canucks ending up on the power play to start the second period. 

Abbotsford’s third power play opportunity connected a lot better than the last two. With a successful entry, the AHL Canucks managed to get a couple of shots on net, as well as two particularly close chances around Tucson’s crease. Despite the pressure, the Roadrunners were able to bring the puck out and double their lead. 

The AHL Canucks’ fourth power play opportunity came after Kailer Yamamoto tripped up team unsung hero Ty Mueller as he was dangling around Tucson’s net. Like their last chance,  Abbotsford’s man-advantage provided some good up-close looks — such as Linus Karlsson’s between-the-legs chance from beside the net — but again, they couldn’t convert. 

The penalty kill was a different story for Abbotsford. While Tucson was able to keep the puck in the AHL Canucks’ zone for most of the kill, Abbotsford managed one of their best chances of the night while shorthanded. A partial break for the penalty killers resulted in Victor Mancini pulling the puck around the net and jamming at it, though he was ultimately unable to score. Max Sasson produced another rush during the team’s second penalty kill, though it was quickly neutralized before reaching Tucson goaltender Jaxson Stauber. Abbotsford ended the game three for three on the penalty kill. 

Abbotsford’s fifth power play came around halfway through the third period and followed the same pattern as the rest — minimal set-up and lots of chasing on all sides of the ice. By the end of the game, the AHL Canucks went goalless on all five of their opportunities on the man-advantage. 

“We have really good players on both units,” Sasson spoke on the power play postgame. “Maybe we’re making too many seam passes and at the end of the day coming up with 50/50, pucks and just getting into the net. I thought we actually did have some decent looks, but obviously not enough volume. So, yeah, clean it up and break in easier, hopefully on Saturday.” 

“Just the mentality of getting pucks to the net with people on the inside. It’s a timeless recipe, especially this time of year, just has to be done a little bit quicker,” Abbotsford Head Coach Manny Malhotra added of what needs to be done differently. 

“I think we’re just trying to make a lot of seam passes, right?” Mancini responded in regards to Malhotra’s comments on the team’s man-advantage. “I think we’re just trying to look for that perfect play right now, and just to try to get pucks to the net and create chaos.” 

Scoring Summary: 

1st Period: 

12:30 - TUC: Ben McCartney (1) from Kevin Connauton and Andrew Agozzino 

2nd Period: 

3:58 - TUC: Andrew Agozzino (1) from Ben McCartney and Artem Duda 

19:41 - TUC: Kailer Yamamoto (1) 

3rd Period: 

2:54 - ABB: Linus Karlsson (2) from Aatu Räty and Sammy Blais 

18:20 - TUC: Ben McCartney (2) (ENG) 

Up Next: 

It’s do-or-die for both Abbotsford and Tucson, as the victor of Game 3 moves on to the second round. The final match of this series is on Saturday, April 26. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.