Abbotsford Canucks Live: It's a 5 p.m., game 3 in Texas with Abby up 2-0 in series
Article content
If the Stars expect to stage a series rally and take the next step to claiming their second Calder Cup championship in 11 years — former Canucks bench boss Willie Desjardins was at the helm in a 2014 title season — they'll have to get past standout stopper Arturs Silovs.
He's on the cusp of equalling another AHL playoff record and is in constant about his NHL future.
Silovs, 24, who made 29 saves Saturday in a 1-0 blanking of the Stars in Abbotsford, has five post-season shutouts to go with his league-leading 1.61 goals-against average and .941 saves percentage. The shutout record of six is held by former Canucks goaltender Mika Noronen, who established the mark by backstopping the Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000.
'It's our game overall,' Silovs said of Abbotsford's playoff progression. 'We're getting better every single game by doing the right things by blocking shots and taking guys away from the net front. And we're doing a good job on the PK with guys sacrificing their bodies.
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The Province
4 hours ago
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Abbotsford Canucks: How Max Sasson savoured the biggest goal of his career
Max Sasson wasn't drafted and was cut from a USHL junior team. He scored the winning goal Sunday as his AHL club advanced to the Calder Cup final. Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Abbotsford Canucks centre Max Sasson had a lot to celebrate Sunday with the winning goal to vault his AHL club to the Calder Cup final series. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr Max Sasson's heightened level of resolve was already a good story. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Undrafted and undaunted to carve out a pro hockey career is a good book of work that includes his first NHL game and then his first goal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this NHL season. However, the latest chapter is also a must-read. The amiable Abbotsford Canucks centre, who struggled to score in the AHL Western Conference final series, finally found the back of the net when it mattered the most Sunday in Game 6 against the Texas Stars. Sasson snapped a 2-2 draw midway through the final period with a deft deflection of a point shot by Akito Hirose to send the Abbotsford Centre crowd into a frenzy. And when Arshdeep Bains scored his second of the night into an empty net, the Canucks punched their ticket to the best-of-seven Calder Cup final against the Charlotte Checkers. It opens Friday in North Carolina. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sasson's exuberant goal celebration was highlight-reel material because of its impact. Bigger than his first NHL game on Nov. 23, 2024, in which he had an assist, and bigger than his first goal a few weeks later on Dec. 14. How high does Sunday's marker rank? 'It's got to be No. 1,' said the 24-year-old Sasson. 'I've been pretty snake-bitten. I've had a lot of shots and for one to go in at that moment, it felt really, really good. Obviously, a massive goal for the team. When we get a lead in the third we're a really hard team to break down with our structure.' The Canucks outshot the Stars 17-4 in the third period and finding the path to victory was quickly becoming more of a 'when' instead of an 'if' they would score. Abbotsford Canucks forward Max Sasson celebrates Sunday after netting the winning goal in Game 6. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr Which, of course, prompted the big fist pump after Sasson's decisive goal. It was his first in seven games and fourth of the post-season. He had 13 goals in 41 regular-season outings because he's adept at tipping pucks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I just let it all out,' he said of the celly. 'It felt like the monkey was off my back, and the crowd was insane, just the whole place. I kept on looking around and 'wow'. That was so cool.' Sasson was so caught up in the post-game celebration that he wanted to touch the conference final championship trophy, which of course is a no-no for any team with higher aspirations, so the traditional team photograph had to suffice. 'Chase (captain Wouters) let us know we're not touching it,' laughed Sasson of getting his mitts on the Clarke Trophy. 'But I wanted to touch it pretty bad. I haven't won much and I just pretended to almost touch it just to mock him a little bit. But, yeah, we're looking for the next one (Calder Cup).' It's the second time that an AHL affiliate of the parent Canucks has made it to the big dance since 2015. Travis Green guided the Utica Comets to the championship series but his club fell in five games to the powerhouse Manchester Monarchs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We'll be ready for Charlotte, but … we've got to enjoy these moments,' added Sasson. 'They don't come every year. 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Western Michigan was the perfect union of team and a driven and dedicated coach in long-serving Pat Ferschweiler. Sasson earned trust to be deployed in any situation and responded in the 2022-23 season with 42 points (15-27) in 38 games. He centred the first line and finished 13th in NCAA scoring and averaged 1.11 points per outing. That caught the Canucks' attention. Ferschweiler has the look of a drill sergeant. He was a Detroit Red Wings assistant for four years under former Western Michigan bench boss Jeff Blashill, who is now guiding the Chicago Blackhawks. Ferschweiler has also mentored successful U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams, so Sasson was obviously impressed. 'He does things in a very professional manner,' Sasson once told Postmedia News. 'The meetings are super-quick and detailed and you get what you need out of everything. We played a pro style with a smart game and not taking too many chances. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The stories he has had about (Henrik) Zetterberg and (Pavel) Datsyuk in Detroit, I've taken them in and I can't say enough about the coaching staff.' Sounds a lot like Manny Malhotra. He's gaining NHL recognition as an effective and efficient bench boss in running his first pro bench. When the Dallas Stars fired Pete DeBoer on Friday, listed Malhotra as a 3-1 favourite to get the franchise over the hump and to the Stanley Cup Final. However, how the Stars address five key unrestricted free agent forwards will tell the tale for next season. One last hurrah? That usually calls for NHL bench-boss experience. bkuzma@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Local News Local News Sports
Vancouver Sun
4 hours ago
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Abbotsford Canucks: How Max Sasson savoured the biggest goal of his career
Max Sasson's heightened level of resolve was already a good story. Undrafted and undaunted to carve out a pro hockey career is a good book of work that includes his first NHL game and then his first goal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this NHL season. However, the latest chapter is also a must-read. The amiable Abbotsford Canucks centre, who struggled to score in the AHL Western Conference final series, finally found the back of the net when it mattered the most Sunday in Game 6 against the Texas Stars. Sasson snapped a 2-2 draw midway through the final period with a deft deflection of a point shot by Akito Hirose to send the Abbotsford Centre crowd into a frenzy. And when Arshdeep Bains scored his second of the night into an empty net, the Canucks punched their ticket to the best-of-seven Calder Cup final against the Charlotte Checkers. It opens Friday in North Carolina. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Sasson's exuberant goal celebration was highlight-reel material because of its impact. Bigger than his first NHL game on Nov. 23, 2024, in which he had an assist, and bigger than his first goal a few weeks later on Dec. 14. How high does Sunday's marker rank? 'It's got to be No. 1,' said the 24-year-old Sasson. 'I've been pretty snake-bitten. I've had a lot of shots and for one to go in at that moment, it felt really, really good. Obviously, a massive goal for the team. When we get a lead in the third we're a really hard team to break down with our structure.' The Canucks outshot the Stars 17-4 in the third period and finding the path to victory was quickly becoming more of a 'when' instead of an 'if' they would score. Which, of course, prompted the big fist pump after Sasson's decisive goal. It was his first in seven games and fourth of the post-season. He had 13 goals in 41 regular-season outings because he's adept at tipping pucks. 'I just let it all out,' he said of the celly. 'It felt like the monkey was off my back, and the crowd was insane, just the whole place. I kept on looking around and 'wow'. That was so cool.' Sasson was so caught up in the post-game celebration that he wanted to touch the conference final championship trophy, which of course is a no-no for any team with higher aspirations, so the traditional team photograph had to suffice. 'Chase (captain Wouters) let us know we're not touching it,' laughed Sasson of getting his mitts on the Clarke Trophy. 'But I wanted to touch it pretty bad. I haven't won much and I just pretended to almost touch it just to mock him a little bit. But, yeah, we're looking for the next one (Calder Cup).' It's the second time that an AHL affiliate of the parent Canucks has made it to the big dance since 2015. Travis Green guided the Utica Comets to the championship series but his club fell in five games to the powerhouse Manchester Monarchs. 'We'll be ready for Charlotte, but … we've got to enjoy these moments,' added Sasson. 'They don't come every year. Just to see what the guys did in the third and have it happen in a big game. There's just so much belief in the room. We knew we were going to end it and get the next one (goal).' To get to this place could have been hard for Sasson to imagine. He's a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, but is wired to make the most of whatever may come. It started when the Birmingham, Mich., native first showed pro potential in three USHL stops. 'I think my last year in junior (Waterloo, USHL) I kind of started believing (NHL), but I always had an inner belief in myself,' stressed Sasson. 'And then getting to school (Western Michigan) and skating with better players, I felt I can really do this.' Western Michigan was the perfect union of team and a driven and dedicated coach in long-serving Pat Ferschweiler. Sasson earned trust to be deployed in any situation and responded in the 2022-23 season with 42 points (15-27) in 38 games. He centred the first line and finished 13th in NCAA scoring and averaged 1.11 points per outing. That caught the Canucks' attention. Ferschweiler has the look of a drill sergeant. He was a Detroit Red Wings assistant for four years under former Western Michigan bench boss Jeff Blashill, who is now guiding the Chicago Blackhawks. Ferschweiler has also mentored successful U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams, so Sasson was obviously impressed. 'He does things in a very professional manner,' Sasson once told Postmedia News. 'The meetings are super-quick and detailed and you get what you need out of everything. We played a pro style with a smart game and not taking too many chances. 'The stories he has had about (Henrik) Zetterberg and (Pavel) Datsyuk in Detroit, I've taken them in and I can't say enough about the coaching staff.' Sounds a lot like Manny Malhotra. He's gaining NHL recognition as an effective and efficient bench boss in running his first pro bench. When the Dallas Stars fired Pete DeBoer on Friday, listed Malhotra as a 3-1 favourite to get the franchise over the hump and to the Stanley Cup Final. However, how the Stars address five key unrestricted free agent forwards will tell the tale for next season. One last hurrah? That usually calls for NHL bench-boss experience. bkuzma@
