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Abbotsford Canucks post 3-0 win in front of franchise record lowest attendance

Abbotsford Canucks blank Tucson Roadrunners, a reported 1,947 fans take in Tuesday's game
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Jiri Patera makes a save against the Tucson Roadrunners on Tuesday (Oct. 29).

The Abbotsford Canucks game on Tuesday (Oct. 29) had almost everything – goals, a controversial hit, a shutout, lots of power plays and ultimately a 3-0 home team win over the Tucson Roadrunners. 

The only problem is not a lot of people got to witness it.

A record-low reported crowd of just 1,947 took in the game at the Abbotsford Centre. That number is the lowest reported number in franchise history. Even during the pandemic era, when crowds were capped at 50 per cent, the team never dipped below 3,400. 

Tuesday's number breaks the record of 3,094 that was established on Saturday's (Oct. 26) game against the San Diego Gulls. 

It's early, but after three home games the club is averaging 3,226 fans. That ranks them 28th in the 32-team AHL.

 

 

On the ice, the two teams played 45 minutes of scoreless hockey until John Stevens capitalized on a turnover created by Mark Friedman to beat Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta at 5:30 of the third. 

 

 

A scary situation occurred at 8:44 of the third when Mark Friedman was carrying the puck in the offensive zone and was nailed with what appeared to be a head shot by Tucson defenceman Montant Onyebuchi. Friedman left the game on a stretcher and had to be sent away in an ambulance. Onyebuchi received a match penalty for a check to the head and was tossed from the game.

The Canucks have not yet provided an update on Friedman.

 

 

 

On the resulting power play, Canucks rookie defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev scored his first-ever AHL goal at 11:16. Danila Klimovich recorded an assist on that goal and that was his fourth point this season – which equals his total from the 2023-24 season.

The Canucks power play also connected at 16:20 when Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored his first this season. Jett Woo and Ty Mueller drew the helpers on that goal. 

 

 

Patera made 22 saves for the shutout. It was his first win as an Abbotsford Canuck and his second career AHL shutout. Abbotsford outshot Tucson 36-22 and Lekkerimaki led all players with six shots on goal. 

 

 

Abbotsford's record now moves to 4-2-0-1 and they rank third in the Pacific Division.

The two teams meet again at the AC on Wednesday (Oct. 30).

 

 



Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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