The Abbotsford Pilots lone game over the weekend was an impressive one, as the Pacific Junior Hockey League club proved it can compete with one of the league’s best.
Abbotsford edged the second-place Richmond Sockeyes 4-3 at MSA Arena on Friday, and the team is riding a four-game undefeated streak in November.
PJHL leading scorer Baylee Wright opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the game, but the Sockeyes replied with a pair of power play goals to close out the first period up 2-1.
After a scoreless second period, Justin Peaker and Brady Morton put the Pilots up 3-2 early in the third, but Richmond tied the game up with another power play goal at 10:27 of the third. Wright proved to be the hero for Abbotsford, as he put the Pilots back up for good at 18:49 to earn the win.
Wright, who had a three-point night, now has 56 points in 21 games this season. Cameron Obcena also recorded two assists for the Pilots. Goalie Keaton Dyck made 34 saves for his 12th win on the year.
Penalty killing continues to be an issue for the Pilots, as after allowing three power play goals on Friday, the club has the second-worst penalty killing rate (78.2 per cent) in the league and have also allowed the second most goals (27) with a man down. Only the winless Surrey Knights are worse off shorthanded.
The win keeps the Pilots in first place in the Harold Brittain conference, and the team now has a record of 13-7-1.
Abbotsford traveled to Ladner on Tuesday night to take on the Delta Ice Hawks, but results were not available at press time. The team’s next home game is on Friday when the Port Moody Panthers come to town. Face-off is set for 6:45 p.m.
For more on the team, visit abbotsfordpilots.com.
