Nikita Tolopilo earned back-to-back starts for Abby and took on Gabriel Carriere again on the other end. The Canucks rolled out an identical lineup to last night, hoping to build on the momentum they created.
Abbotsford pushed for a fast start and Tolopilo made some important saves early on. An early Barracuda penalty gave the Canucks the first breakthrough of the game. Five minutes later, Jonathan Lekkerimäki finished off a cross-ice feed from Joseph LaBate at the back door to open the scoring. The teams traded power play opportunities throughout the period, with the best chance coming from Vilmer Alriksson, but Carriere turned him away. Abby had a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission and started the second with the penalty kill.
Special teams dominated the middle frame. Just two minutes into the period, Oliver Wahlstrom tied the game for the Barracuda on the power play. Tensions rose, whistles followed, and with just under ten minutes left, Wahlstrom struck again on the man advantage, giving San Jose a 2-1 lead heading into the third.
Abbotsford had work to do. Six minutes into the period, Igor Chernyshov broke free with a shorthanded shot and tucked one past Tolopilo, extending the Barracuda lead to 3-1. But the Canucks immediately struck back on the same power play. From behind the net, Chase Wouters connected with Alriksson in the slot, where he ripped one home to bring Abby within one.
Abbotsford kept the pressure on and Kirill Kudryavtsev joined the scoring drive with seven minutes to go. His laser from the blue line found the back of the net, tying the game 3-3 and giving the Canucks life late. Neither team could find a winner in regulation, forcing overtime.
Just 90 seconds into extra time, Filip Bystedt ended it for San Jose. Abbotsford picked up a point but fell 4-3 to end their road trip.
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