The Abbotsford Pilots point streak continued during two games over the weekend.
Abbotsford fell 5-4 in overtime on Friday at home to the Richmond Sockeyes, and then bounced back by becoming the first team so far this season to beat the Grandview Steelers in regulation time on Sunday.
Sunday’s game saw the Pilots down the Steelers 3-1, and they clinched the win with a pair of third period goals. Pilots captain Mitchell Plevy opened the scoring at 10:23, but two minutes later the Steelers tied the game up.
After a scoreless second period, Mateo Toledo scored his league-leading 12th goal with a shorthanded marker at 2:53. It’s been an incredible start to the season for Toledo, who scored 12 goals in 41 games last season. Jackson Waniek added an empty net goal with four seconds remaining to give the Pilots a little insurance.
Pilots goalie Jacob Crawford made 33 saves to record his fifth win of the Pacific Junior Hockey League season.
Friday’s game saw the Pilots 4-1 lead evaporate in the third, and the Sockeyes scored 33 seconds into overtime to steal the win.
Richmond got on the scoreboard first, but the Pilots had goals from Plevy and Cobin Genge to have a 2-1 lead after one.
Kenessary Kylyshbek and Kolby Steen added goals in the second period to build up the lead to 4-1. Richmond scored goals at 4:36, 11:20 and 17:58 of the third to even the game and win in overtime.
Crawford made 30 saves in the loss, and the Pilots scored one power play goal, while killing off all six times they were shorthanded.
Abbotsford’s record now sits at seven wins, two losses and one overtime loss, and they are in second place in the Harold Brittain conference.
The Pilots hit the road on Friday for a game against the Ridge Meadows Flames, and then hit the river for their annual fishing derby on Saturday and Sunday.
The 17th annual Gary Graber/Richard Newton Memorial Fishing Derby invites anglers to camp and fish on the Vedder River, with prizes and other activities.
They also celebrate Hockey Day in Abbotsford on Oct. 29.
Fans are invited to come to the parking lot at Envision Credit Union on Sumas Way to play road hockey with the Pilots, win prizes, ticket giveaways and more.
