The Abbotsford Canucks game on Tuesday (Oct. 29) had almost everything – goals, a controversial hit, a shutout, lots of power plays and ultimately a 3-0 home team win over the Tucson Roadrunners.
The only problem is not a lot of people got to witness it.
A record-low reported crowd of just 1,947 took in the game at the Abbotsford Centre. That number is the lowest reported number in franchise history. Even during the pandemic era, when crowds were capped at 50 per cent, the team never dipped below 3,400.
Tuesday's number breaks the record of 3,094 that was established on Saturday's (Oct. 26) game against the San Diego Gulls.
It's early, but after three home games the club is averaging 3,226 fans. That ranks them 28th in the 32-team AHL.
John Stevens makes it 1-0, great check by Friedman to get the turn over pic.twitter.com/0vEvXcK58Q
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 30, 2024
On the ice, the two teams played 45 minutes of scoreless hockey until John Stevens capitalized on a turnover created by Mark Friedman to beat Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta at 5:30 of the third.
Friedman got ROCKED with a headshot by Onyebuchi. Yikes pic.twitter.com/L7RDoQEUwm
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 30, 2024
A scary situation occurred at 8:44 of the third when Mark Friedman was carrying the puck in the offensive zone and was nailed with what appeared to be a head shot by Tucson defenceman Montant Onyebuchi. Friedman left the game on a stretcher and had to be sent away in an ambulance. Onyebuchi received a match penalty for a check to the head and was tossed from the game.
The Canucks have not yet provided an update on Friedman.
Kudryavtsev with his first-ever AHL goal pic.twitter.com/OtrhB3fRZA
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 30, 2024
A moment to remember! 📸
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 30, 2024
Congratulations to Kirill Kudryavtsev, who scored his first career AHL goal in tonight’s 3-0 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners! pic.twitter.com/kJPeb1AhY4
On the resulting power play, Canucks rookie defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev scored his first-ever AHL goal at 11:16. Danila Klimovich recorded an assist on that goal and that was his fourth point this season – which equals his total from the 2023-24 season.
The Canucks power play also connected at 16:20 when Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored his first this season. Jett Woo and Ty Mueller drew the helpers on that goal.
Lekkerimaki with his first on the season. He has been buzzing all night pic.twitter.com/nQggoBMs6w
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 30, 2024
Patera made 22 saves for the shutout. It was his first win as an Abbotsford Canuck and his second career AHL shutout. Abbotsford outshot Tucson 36-22 and Lekkerimaki led all players with six shots on goal.
Head down to ice level with In-Arena host, Celine Trimarchi, and first star, Jiří Patera! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/VI5mQwP1db
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 30, 2024
Abbotsford's record now moves to 4-2-0-1 and they rank third in the Pacific Division.
The two teams meet again at the AC on Wednesday (Oct. 30).
SHUT OUT THE ROADRUNNERS! 🧱 pic.twitter.com/vvpwjffx1s
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) October 30, 2024
