There haven’t been many easy nights for the Abbotsford Canucks this season. Sitting near the bottom of the standings, every game feels like an uphill battle. But this Family Day weekend, with one of the AHL’s top teams - the Ontario Reign - rolling into Rogers Arena, the Canucks delivered something they’ve been chasing for weeks: a statement.
Abbotsford didn’t just hang in there against a team tied for second in the Western Conference. They swept them. And they did it with grit, timely scoring, and back-to-back starts from Nikita Tolopilo, who continues to make a strong case as the team's most reliable presence between the pipes.
A new look, and finally, a result to match
The AHL’s midseason tradition of flipping home and away jerseys gave Abbotsford a fresh look in green - and for once, the vibe on the ice matched the threads. The Canucks played with energy, purpose, and a chip on their shoulder, and it showed from the crease out.
Tolopilo, making his second consecutive start in a two-game series, was locked in from the opening whistle of Game One. And while the standings still show Abbotsford ten points out of a playoff spot, this weekend’s sweep was the kind of spark that can shift momentum for a team trying to claw its way back into the mix.
Game One: Tolopilo slams the door, Åman sparks the comeback
Ontario came out flying in the opener. The Reign controlled possession early, peppering Tolopilo with 12 shots in the first period alone.
Abbotsford managed just four. But the 23-year-old netminder stood tall, keeping the game scoreless through 20 minutes and giving his team a chance to settle in.
The Reign finally broke through in the second. After a tripping penalty to Danila Klimovich, Ontario cashed in on the power play. Kenny Connors fired from the point, Tolopilo made the initial stop, but the rebound slipped behind him - and Cole Guttman was first to it, burying his 18th of the season.
Despite being outshot 20-7 through two periods, Abbotsford was still within striking distance, and in the third, they flipped the script.
Nils Åman, returning from injury, made an immediate impact. Driving wide on his strong side, he tried to center a pass to Klimovich. The puck deflected off a skate and came right back to Åman, who banked it off Ontario goalie Erik Portillo and in to tie the game.
Then it was the fourth line’s turn to shine. Cooper Walker fed Nikolai Knyzhov at the point, and his shot found Nick Poisson in the slot. Poisson got just enough of it to redirect it past Portillo for the go-ahead goal.
Tolopilo took care of the rest. He finished the night with 31 saves in a composed 2-1 win and was named the AHL’s second star of the night - a well-earned nod for a goalie who’s quietly been one of Abbotsford’s most consistent performers.
Game Two: Lekkerimäki lights it up, Mueller takes over
With a packed house for the Family Day matinee, the Canucks had a chance to build on the momentum. And while Ontario once again opened the scoring, Abbotsford’s response was immediate - and relentless.
Ty Mueller set the tone early in the second, disrupting a breakout and poking the puck to Jonathan Lekkerimäki, who didn’t hesitate. The Swedish sniper leaned into a quick-release snapshot that beat Portillo far side for his 12th of the season.
Moments later, the Canucks struck again. Sawyer Mynio found a trailing Nils Åman, who quickly dished to All-Star Ben Berard. Berard dropped to one knee and wired a one-timer into the top corner - a pure sniper’s finish that gave Abbotsford its first lead of the afternoon.
Ontario tied it late in the period with a power play goal from Glenn Gawdin, and briefly took the lead early in the third. But Abbotsford didn’t blink.
Jujhar Khaira started the pushback. After feeding Victor Mancini at the point, he drove hard to the net and pounced on the rebound for his third of the season, tying the game at 3-3.
Then came the dagger - and it was vintage Lekkerimäki. Working off the cycle, Arshdeep Bains found Mueller near the bottom of the circle. Mueller slid it back to Lekkerimäki, who used the defender as a screen and snapped a laser short side, popping the water bottle on his 13th of the year - and second of the game.
Mueller, who was all over the ice, added insurance with a wraparound that banked in off a defender’s skate. The three-point performance moved him into the team lead with 26 points and earned him third star honors.
Tolopilo, while not as busy as the night before, remained steady, stopping 18 of 21 shots to notch his third straight win.
What’s next?
The Canucks don’t have much time to enjoy this one. They’re heading out on a five-game road swing that stretches into early March, starting with a quick rematch against the Reign in California on Wednesday night.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. PT at Toyota Arena.
For a team still on the outside looking in, this weekend was more than just four points - it was a reminder that they can hang with the best. If they can bottle this effort and bring it on the road, there might still be time to make things interesting in the playoff race.