ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS VS BAKERSFIELD CONDORS GAME TWO PREVIEW

May 4th 2022

By Ben Righetti

TV: ahltv.com

MATCHUP INFO:

• The Abbotsford Canucks look to keep their playoff hopes alive tonight, in a must win game against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00pm from Mechanic Banks Arena in Bakersfield.

• Last night saw the Canucks fall 2-1 in overtime, with Vasily Podkolzin scoring the lone Abbotsford goal.

• Spencer Martin put up 45 saves, a franchise-record in either regular or post-season

• The two teams have met nine times so far, with Abbotsford going 4-3-2.

• Previous meetings with Bakersfield: October 16th (5-3 road L), January 6th (6-2 home L), January 7th (4-3 home OTL), January 9th (2-1 home L), February 16th (5-2 road W), March 19th (3-1 road W), April 16th (3-1 road W), April 26th (4-2 home W), May 3rd (2-1 road OTL)

• All games of the opening round will be played in Bakersfield, since the Condors finished the regular season as the higher seed (4th) , compared to Abbotsford who finished in 5th place in the Pacific Division.

• Abbotsford finished the regular season in 5th place in the Pacific Division, with a record of 39-23-5-1 and 84 points.

• Bakersfield finished the regular season in 4th place in the Pacific Division, with a record of 37-21-5-5 and 84 points.

QUICK NUMBERS

• With some of their higher scoring players absent, Abbotsford’s depth has shone bright in the past weeks. Ten goals in Abbotsford’s last seven games have been scored by a player with 10 or fewer goals this year (Brannon McManus, Matt Alfaro x2, Madison Bowey, Jarid Lukosevicius, Justin Dowling x2, Jack Rathbone, Chase Wouters, Vasily Podkolzin).

• Abbotsford is amongst the league leaders in numerous special teams categories, including : Powerplay % (4th), Powerplay Goals For (2nd), Most Powerplay Goals by a Player (Sheldon Dries - 1st ), Most Shorthanded Goals by a Player John Stevens – 1st ). All of these statistics are regular-season based.

• Spencer Martin’s 45 saves is the second most by a goaltender so far in the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs. Bridgeport Islanders and former Vancouver Canuck netminder Cory Schneider registered 46 saves in Monday’s Overtime victory.

• Abbotsford, despite registering amongst the league leaders on the powerplay, are 0/18 in their last 18 attempts with the man advantage, having not scored in their last four games with the extra man.

• Nic Petan, who made his first Abbotsford Canucks appearance after a few weeks due to stint with Vancouver, lead the team in shots with 5. James Hamblin, who scored the game-winner for the Condors, lead the game with 7 shots.

LAST BAK GAME – MAY 3/22 : ABB 1 VS BAK 2 (OT)

Making their Calder Cup Playoffs debut, the Abbotsford Canucks took to the ice in Bakersfield ahead of a highly-anticipated Game 1. Despite Spencer Martin making 45 saves, and Vasily Podkolzin grabbing his first AHL goal in his first AHL game, the Condors made a late comeback to take the victory. CLICK HERE to read more.

RECENT CANUCK TRANSACTIONS

• Sheldon Dries returned on loan from Vancouver, May 01/22

• Nic Petan returned on loan from Vancouver. May 01/22

• Spencer Martin returned on loan from Vancouver, Apr 30/22

• Vasily Podkolzin returned on loan from Vancouver, Apr 30/22

• Arturs Silovs returned on loan from Vancouver, Apr 30/22

• Arturs Silovs recalled from loan by Vancouver, Apr 26/22

• Rylan Toth signed to ATO, Apr 25/22

RECENT CANUCK MILESTONES

• Vasily Podkolzin scored his 1st career AHL goal, May 3/22

• Vasily Podkolzin played his 1st career AHL game, May 3/22

• Rylan Toth played his 1st career AHL game, Apr 28/22

• Jack Rathbone was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team, Apr 27/22

• Noah Juulsen played his 100th career AHL game, Apr 26/22

• Gullaume Brisebois played his 200th career AHL game, Apr 16/22

Ben Righetti

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