Canucks 3, Eagles 2 (OT): Abbotsford comes back, takes Game 3 in Colorado
The
Abbotsford Canucks
' playoff climb just hit rarefied air in the rarest of places.
Vancouver's AHL affiliate came back twice on Wednesday night to snag Game 3 of the Pacific Division final in Colorado, against an Eagles team that touted the league's top home record this season.
The Canucks trailed 1-0 early and 2-1 entering the third period, but a Max Sasson marker midway through the frame sent the game to overtime, and a Linus Karlsson dagger with just over a minute left in the extra session gave the visitors a 3-2 victory in the Mile High City and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Abbotsford's first goal was scored by defenceman Victor Mancini, who pounced on a Jonathan Lekkerimaki rebound in the high slot and backhanded the puck into the net.
VICTOR MANCINI 🤝 THE REBOUND
pic.twitter.com/l6O6fjPZ0N
The goal was Mancini's second of the playoffs and fifth point in 10 games.
Sasson's goal at 10:45 of the third period was also assisted by Lekkerimaki, who found Sasson streaking down the right side, with Sasson snapping a shot far-side past Colorado goaltender Trent Miner.
Max Sasson gets one and we're tied in Loveland! 🪢
@abbycanucks
|
@Canucks
#AHL
#CalderCup
#ProudlyAbbotsford
#Canucks
pic.twitter.com/tltD8CfphZ
And in overtime, it was Karlsson crashing the net to find a loose puck and fire it past Miner for the win.
🚨 LINUS KARLSSON CLAIMS GAME 3 FOR THE CANUCKS IN OVERTIME!
Abbotsford takes a 2-1 series lead
@abbycanucks
|
@Canucks
#AHL
#CalderCup
#ProudlyAbbotsford
#Canucks
pic.twitter.com/sNU9jEp6p7
Karlsson, who played 23 games in Vancouver this season, has eight points (5G, 3A) in 10 playoff games.
Canucks goaltender
Arturs Silovs
continued his strong playoff run with 35 saves on 37 shots. Miner saved 30 shots in the loss.
Abbotsford went 6-2-0-0 against the Eagles this season, with two of those wins at Blue Arena, where Colorado was a dominant 26-6-2-2.
The Canucks, who are the deepest they've been in the AHL playoffs in their four years in Abbotsford, had the league's ninth-best road record at 20-13-2-1.
Games 4 and 5, if necessary, are in Colorado.
The winner of this series meets the winner of a set between the Milwaukee Admirals and Texas Stars in the Western Conference Finals.
With a file from Steve Ewen
mraptis@postmedia.com
x.com/mike_raptis
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