The Abbotsford Pilots split a pair of games last week but the club’s struggles on home ice continued on Friday.
Abbotsford hosted the Grandview Steelers on Friday and failed to hang on to a 2-0 lead they built in the first period. The Steelers scored three in the second and two more in the third to beat the Pilots 5-2.
The Pilots outshoot the Steelers 38-27 but Steelers goalie Cole MacInees made 36 saves in the win.
Alexander Methorst and Mateo Toledo scored the opening-period goals for Abbotsford. The Pilots fall to one win and three losses at the MSA Arena this season, compared to a record of three wins and one overtime loss on the road.
Abbotsford continued its strong run of play away from home on Thursday, defeating the Langley Knights 5-3. The Pilots fired 43 shots at the Knights net and broke a 3-3 tie in the third period to win.
Erik Olson, Joel Balzer, Alexander Methorst, Mitchell Plevy and Dryden Michaud tallied for the Pilots. Goalie Brandon Kruger made 16 saves for his third win of the season.
The Pilots sit tied for second in the Harold Brittain conference after this weekend, with a record of four wins, three losses and one overtime loss.
Abbotsford hits the road on Wednesday night to battle the Aldergrove Kodiaks and then return home on Friday to host the Richmond Sockeyes. Face-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the MSA Arena.
The Pilots then celebrate the 16th annual Gary Graber and Richard Newton Memorial Fishing Derby on Oct. 17 and 18 at Tamihi Campground on the Vedder River.
The event honours former Pilots player Gary Graber and long-time Pilots volunteer Richard Newton.
For more information on the derby, visit abbotsfordpilots.com.
