The Abbotsford Canucks’ post-season has come to a close after a 3-2 loss in game four against the Calgary Wranglers on Friday, May 5. The epic rivalry between the two teams has reached new levels after the intensive and physical four-game bout, each game being decided by one goal.
Despite massive hits by Noah Juulsen hyping up the sold-out Abbotsford Centre crowd, the Canucks’ weaker power play was a major deciding factor in the series. A questionable icing call in the third period sealed the Canucks’ fate, leading to the game-winning goal by Adam Klapka and clinching the series for the Wranglers.
“I thought five-on-five we were excellent for most of the game,” said Head Coach, Jeremy Colliton. “Especially when I thought we gave [Calgary] all they could handle. We asked a lot of our group and I think it’s tough not to be proud of it.” The stand-out talent on the “Junior” Canucks roster took “big-time strides” according to Colliton. The experience that the young players gain through this year’s playoff run will motivate and help them through the summer.
During the playoffs, fan favourites Nils Höglander and Jack Rathbone led the younger players through the crucial moments. Höglander banked the most Canucks’ goals and assists in the post-season with three apiece. Rathbone scored twice in the playoffs, and his time in the NHL playing for big crowds in high-pressure situations is great experience to have in the locker room, and it showed on the ice.
B.C.-born Tristen Nielson and rookie Arshdeep Bains were highlight players to watch all season. Bains made smart and strategic plays along the boards in the offensive zone to keep possession, giving the Canucks numerous quality scoring chances. Bains’ two goals and an assist in the playoffs is a solid cap on a stellar rookie season. Nielsen was an impact player who “answered the bell” in head coach Jeremy Colliton’s view. A difference-maker who always goes full speed on the attack when he’s on the ice, Nielson is first-in-line to defend his teammates in skirmishes after the whistle. His outrageous smile and cry of “Get some!” every time he scored got the crowd excited all season long. Linus Karlsson rounded out the top five rookies this year. With 24 goals and 25 assists, he was able to remain a consistent point-scorer and playmaker throughout.
The Abbotsford Canucks could see a roster shake-up through summer training as players get traded and cut, and new prospects come to join them. Coach Colliton has brought a winning atmosphere to the Fraser Valley, and the fans have rallied behind their team. The fuel from that support is what the Canucks said they fed off all season long, and one of the reasons they’re excited to make a solid run for the Calder Cup next season.
Teryn Midzain is an English Major with ambitious goals to write movies and a full-time nerd, whose personality and eccentrics run on high-octane like the cars he loves. More importantly, Teryn loves sports [Formula One], and doesn’t care who knows. When not creating and running deadly schemes in his D&D sessions, Teryn tries to reach the core of what makes the romantic and dramatic World of Sports, the characters and people that make the events so spectacular.
