ABBOTSFORD – Game one of a home-and-home series saw the Abbotsford Pilots (25-12-1-1) emerge victorious over the Grandview Steelers (21-17-2-0) by a final score of 3-2. Will Hazell-Penaluna notched the game-winning goal at 4:49 of the 3rd period. Thomas Pickering and Jamie Housch also added tallies for the Pilots, who were backstopped by a 23 save effort from goaltender Keaton Dyck. Mateo Toledo and Tristan Olson were the goal scorers for the Steelers. The win snaps a two-game losing skid for the Pilots and is their 15th win at MSA Arena this season.
1st Period:
GVIEW – The Steelers got on the board early as former Pilots Mateo Toledo (20) cut in on net to pot home his 20th goal of the season. His goal came 0:35 into the opening frame and was assisted by Mateo Coltellaro and Connor Alderson.
ABB– The Pilots responded in the late stages of the first as Jamie Housch (12) found the back of the net, with help from Cam Obcena and Sean McCracken at 16:20.
Shots: 18-11 Abbotsford
2nd Period:
ABB – The lone goal in the second came from Thomas Pickering (7), assisted by Jared Pitkethly and Roy McClure at the 12:27 mark.
Shots: 11-3 Abbotsford
3rd Period:
ABB – The Pilots capitalized on an odd-man rush at 4:49 as Thomas Pickering connected with Will Hazell- Penaluna (21) to extend the lead to two. Baylee Wright was also credited with an assist on the play.
GVIEW – A shorthanded Steelers squad saw Tristan Olson (15) receive a stretch pass from Mateo Toledo. He caught Pilots defenceman Tyler Wickman off guard and skated in on breakaway at 14:14 to reduce the deficit to one.
Shots: 11-10 Grandview
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Final Score: Abbotsford 3 – Grandview 2 (F)
Final Shots: 39-25
Matteo Petrelli: 36/39 saves for Grandview (4-5-1)
Keaton Dyck: 23/25 saves for Abbotsford W (20-8-1)
Abbotsford Power Play: 0/3
Grandview Power Play: 0/4
3 Stars:
1) Cam Obcena (ABB – 1A)
2) Jamie Housch (ABB – 1G)
3) Mateo Toledo (GVIEW – 1G, 1A)
Next Pilots Game: Sunday night in Burnaby against the Steelers at 7:15PM.
NOTES:
- The Abbotsford Pilots were without forward Noah Wiebe Friday night, as he is currently serving his first game of a nine game suspension after receiving a match penalty Wednesday night in Langley. He will not play for the remainder of the regular season as his suspension expires in the playoffs.
- Baylee Wright’s assist in Friday’s game is his 114th point overall, making him eight points away from the PJHL single season point record of 121, which was set by Brent O’Connor of the North Shore Flames in the 1977-78 season.
- The Pilots season series record against the Steelers is now 2-1, with one more game in hand this coming Sunday night.
- The win moved the Pilots 7 points ahead of Langley for first place in the Harold Brittain conference standings.
